Bats and Castles - Bat Roost Surveying 2025 #1

Bats and Castles

A day of roost visiting at an exceptional castle site with access to a range of bat roosts throughout the castle attics, cellars and coach house. 

What will the day involve?

Guided by well-known bat specialist Richard Crompton, participants will be shown the different areas used by as many as eight different bat species including a large year-round roost of lesser horseshoe bats. The castle has been re-roofed and Richard will describe the process of the surveys, mitigation and licensing for the works. In the evening we will discuss how to set up for an emergence survey, and then set out some different types of cameras to watch the bats emerge. 

A light evening meal will be served in the castle.

Key skills covered

• Roost visiting 
• Conducting a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)
• How to survey bat roost, appropriate use of torchlight
• How to gather droppings for inspection and eDNA analysis
• Using an endoscope to inspect potential roost features for bats
• Setting up and using night vision aids (infrared cameras and thermal imaging scopes)

No bats will be handled during this course.

What experience levels are needed for this course?

Whilst some knowledge of bats and ecology would be useful, there is no minimum standard for joining. This course is part of my aim to help address 'pain-points' in bat licence training and so is great for helping to fill gaps in experience and knowledge for those working towards a bat survey licence, or simple to improve their bat surveying skills.

What will participants received at the end of the course?

Participants will a course certificate that states your participation and what activities were undertaken during the course. This course is not assessed so a reference towards a licence is not possible, but the certificate may be able to be used towards a licence application, or supporting a separate licence reference. 

What do you need to bring?

• a good hand torch, and ideally a head torch as well.
• Face Mask - must be FFP 2 or 3 (no vent) e.g. FFP2 face masks https://amzn.eu/d/1KP0Qhg
• Torch and head torch
• Camping chair (optional - for the evening session)
• Warm/wet weather clothes for the evening session
• Any snacks and drinks you may need in the evening

What is included?

A hot drink will be provided on arrival, and a light evening meal will be served in the castle around 5.30pm. Please indicate dietary preferences on booking.

Toilets are available on site throughout the event

The evening session will go ahead in all but the worst weather conditions! Obviously we cannot guarantee bats, but they are  very reliable at this site!

Who is the tutor?

The course is organised and run by Richard Crompton- a well known bat specialist and trainer based in South Wales. Richard is a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management, a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Linnaean Society. He has been working with bats professionally for more than 26 years, is one of the most active trainers in the UK, and is an advisor on projects large and small. A former Bat Conservation Trust trustee, regular course tutor and 'mitigation guru', he has been involved as an author/editorial board members for all 4 editions of the Bat survey guidelines, and was awarded to the Batty Hall of Fame in 2022. Most recently he has been accredited at Level 3 (all species annexes) on the Natural England Bat Earned Recognition Scheme which means he is currently working on roosts of species including both horseshoe bats, Barbastelle, Bechstein's and grey long eared bats across their range.

More information

Any queries (or late ticket sales after bookings close) please contact me: Richard@ecologyod.co.uk

Or phone on the day 07711 848 174

Looking forward to seeing everyone, Richard