Got questions, thoughts, or curious bat queries? Text us—we’d love to hear from you!

S6E61 Recorded in the winter of 2024, in this episode we travel to the Northumberland coastline to a National Trust property called Seaton Delaval Hall. We’re there because this property is home to the UK’s largest-known pipistrelle bat hibernation roost. For many years we haven’t really known where pipistrelle bats go to hibernate. Traditional hibernation surveys in underground structures rarely turn up pipistrelles and when they do they’re in very small numbers. Our guest this week, Tina Wiffen, discovered this roost shortly after the National Trust took over the care of Seaton Delaval in 2009 and since then has been doing some detective work to help us understand where we might need to go looking ourselves.

• Tina's articles in British Island Bats are on pages 20 and 30 of volume four.
• Original news article from the BCT website when a large winter count occured.
• Fancy taking part in a hibernation survey? Find your local bat group here.

Use our interactive map to find the closest recording location to where you are and to see photos and additional material from the recording.

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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!

Got questions, thoughts, or curious bat queries? Text us—we’d love to hear from you!

S6E60. In this episode, we venture into the ancient Pengelli Forest in Pembrokeshire to uncover the story behind one of the region's most remarkable bat discoveries. Back in 2000, Margaret Clarke discovered presence of barbastelle bats, a species known for its elusive nature.

Joined by Margaret Clarke and Den Vaughn, we revisit the discovery that changed our understanding of bats in Pembrokeshire and discuss how barbastelles have fared in the region since then.

From the fascinating history of Margaret’s discovery to the ongoing efforts to understand these mysterious creatures, this episode reminds us of how far we've come in the last quarter of a century.

• The barbastelle bat PhD that Den mentions is here.
• Find out about Pengelli Forest NNR
• Natur am Byth

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!

Got questions, thoughts, or curious bat queries? Text us—we’d love to hear from you!

S6E59 This week, we’re diving into an evening adventure at the stunning Tintinhull Gardens in Somerset, owned by the National Trust. Joining the Somerset Bat Group, we’re on the hunt for one of the UK’s rarest bats – the elusive grey long-eared bat.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
🦇 What makes the grey long-eared bat so rare and fascinating
🦇 The Somerset Bat Group’s efforts to discover more about this species within the County
🦇 A behind-the-scenes look at their bat survey in the beautiful gardens of Tintinhull
🦇 Insights into the habitat and behaviors of this secretive bat

Whether you’re a seasoned bat enthusiast or just curious about the creatures of the night, this episode is packed with discovery, conservation passion, and the magic of Somerset’s wildlife.

Links and Resources:

• Learn more about the Somerset Bat Group here and find the results of the GLE project here
• Find out about Tintinhull Gardens here
• Learn about grey long-eared bats here

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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!