Good news for bats in the run up to Halloween.  The Bat Conservation Trust has won funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund for a 4-year programme of conservation activities. 

Despite having protection under law, it seems bats may be in decline.  The BCT says it aims to:  “assess the conservation needs of the UK's 17 species of bat; identify any rapid declines; select conservation priorities and inform conservation policy, and ensure limited resources are directed to where they are most needed.”  However, they are reliant on volunteers to assist with surveying, and this is where you can help.

The BCT has an excellent website at www.bats.org.uk, with everything you could ever want to know about bats.  They also now have an on-line tutorial to help guide you through the steps to taking part in their National Bat Monitoring Programme which is suitable for both the beginner and the experienced bat-watcher.  The BCT will provide survey packs and advice on how to use a bat-detector (a gadget for monitoring bat squeaks.  Each species has its own frequency.)  All you have to do, at this stage, is sign up.  The next recording period will be 1^st to 30 July 2008, but remember to leave time to order your survey pack. 

BCT’s site has useful identification sheets, advice on what to do with an injured bat or if you suspect you have bats roosting in your house, and a Helpline telephone number (0845 1300 228).

There will almost certainly be a bat group organising walks somewhere in your locality (find one through the BCT), but you could bring the bats to you by putting up some bat boxes – see http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/batbox/index.php