International Bat Night

This annual batty celebration sees bat events taking place across the world! In the UK, the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), local bat groups, other organisations and bat enthusiasts will be celebrating bats during the whole weekend of the 24th and 25th August. It has taken place on the last weekend of August since 1997 and more than 30 countries will be taking part!

This annual batty celebration sees bat events taking place across the world! In the UK, the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), local bat groups, other organisations and bat enthusiasts will be celebrating bats during the whole weekend of the 24th and 25th August. It has taken place on the last weekend of August since 1997 and more than 30 countries will be taking part!

There are 18 species of bats resident in the UK – that’s more than a quarter of our mammal species. Worldwide there are close to 1,400 bat species (accounting for 20% of all mammal species). Bats are important to us as they are an ‘indicator’ species, which means they are a sign of a green and healthy environment. Operating at the top of the food chain, bats keep in check the numbers of insects active between the hours of dusk and darkness when birds are largely absent.

It is an excellent excuse to celebrate these fascinating creatures and go and search for your local flying mammals.  There are plenty of events up and down the country, and even if there isn’t one near you, you can invite family and friends over and watch bats in the garden. To increase the likelihood of spotting bats in your own garden, take a look at our range of bat boxes, including our 2F Schwegler bat boxes or Schwegler 2FN bat boxes that encourage bats into areas where there are few roosting sites. Or why not go for a walk in your local park. A bat walk is a great example of something the whole family can take part in. Find events here or ask locally if there is anything arranged.

The BCT are encouraging everyone to celebrate and have put together an excellent International Bat Night Pack. It includes ideas on how to celebrate bats, learn more about them and how you can help with bat conservation! You will find lots of useful hyperlinks throughout the document and it can be used digitally or printed out, whichever you prefer.

If you’re organising an event they would love to hear about it, email comms@bats.org.uk with details.

External sources/references

• Bat Conservation Trust
• When and where to see bats in the UK
• Types of bats – a guide by the BCT