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 is making bat surveys more accessible—particularly for people from minority ethnic backgrounds, lower-income communities, and those with disabilities. With thousands of bat echolocation calls recorded across 750+ sites, and over 2,000 people engaged so far, this project is transforming urban conservation.

But to keep NightWatch running, we need your help! We must raise £14,000 by June 2025 to ensure more people can discover the wonders of bats in their neighborhoods.

🔗 Find out more about NightWatch and how you can support it here: https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/02/save-nightwatch-urban-bats-communities

🦇 Warwickshire Bat Group Take a look at their website for upcoming events.

🦇 Find your local bat group

🎧 New to BatChat? We release episodes every other Wednesday, so hit subscribe and join us for more fascinating bat stories!

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

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👕We now have our own Merch!👚 Get your hands on the brand new range of BatChat clothing and tote bags at our tee mill store and tag us on social media with you wearing your purchases.
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Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via comms@bats.org.uk

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

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 survive and thrive. We’re talking to the people on the ground—farmers, conservationists, and locals—who are teaming up to survey wildlife, engage communities, and figure out what really works.

🎧 Hit play and join the conversation.

The project website is here

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
👕We now have our own Merch!👚 Get your hands on the brand new range of BatChat clothing and tote bags at our tee mill store and tag us on social media with you wearing your purchases.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via comms@bats.org.uk

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

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 results to conservation projects, hear what’s happening in this bat-rich landscape and how the group is making a difference.

🚨 Breaking News: A Rare Bat Discovery in the UK!
Hot off the press—conservationists have discovered one of the UK’s rarest bats in an unexpected location! What does this mean for bat conservation in Britain? Hear from one of the team who made this groundbreaking find.
🔗 Read more on the Bat Conservation Trust’s website
🔗 Claire's lucky bat socks are from Bare Kind

🎧 Tune in now to stay up to date with the latest in the world of bats!

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review BatChat to help more people discover the world of bat conservation.

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
👕We now have our own Merch!👚 Get your hands on the brand new range of BatChat clothing and tote bags at our tee mill store and tag us on social media with you wearing your purchases.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via comms@bats.org.uk

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!