Events

Past Events (2023):

Floral Fringe Fair - Sunday 3rd September, 10.30am to 5pm at Loxwood Meadows, Loxwood, RH14 0AL

Bat Walk at Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, Chichester, PO18 9BE, Tuesday 29th August at 7.45pm

Sussex Bat Group National Bat Monitoring Programme Training Event at the Knepp Wildland, West Sussex - Monday 29th May 8.30-10.30pm

The Bat Conservation Trust's National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP) was established in 1996 to help us monitor our bat populations in a long-term repeatable way. It asks volunteers to cover a number of different types of survey throughout the Summer, based on location, resources and availability. It was originally set up by Tony Hutson, founder of the Sussex Bat Group, and we would really like to get our members more actively involved in it to see how our bats are faring. Therefore we have organised a fun evening of training at one of Europe's most exciting rewilding projects, home to to 13 of the 18 resident species found in Britain! 

We will start by introducing the NBMP scheme, then head out in search of bats discussing the different types of survey the programme offers, including roost counts, the waterway survey and the field survey. Even if you're already involved with the NBMP we'd still like you to attend, as we might be able to sign you up to some new sites or ask you to support others hoping to sign up.

We will meet at the Knepp Castle Apple Store, off Pound Lane, West Grinstead, RH13 8LJ. Exact directions and instructions will be sent to you before the event.

Bat Walk at St Mary's Churchyard, Chichester, PO19 8HA - Saturday 3rd June at 8.20pm

Join us for a guided bat walk to learn about the bats of Sussex, tips on the best places to find bats in your area and important opportunities where you can help. We will walk around the Churchyard, with our bat detectors in hand, as we try to identify the bats on the wing. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Warm clothes, head torches and sturdy footwear recommended. For more details, and to book a place, please contact Dr Sam Kelly on friendswhyke@gmail.com

Lewes Railway Land Bat Walk - Sunday 18th June, 08:30 - 10:30pm 

Free event organised by The Lewes Railway Land Group - Part of their Nature Links Community Action Project | Railway Land Wildlife Trust. Enjoy a walk around the beautiful Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve, meeting location at the Linklater Pavilion BN7 2FG.

(2022):

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June - Floral Fringe Fair at Leonardslee Gardens

Bat and Moth Safaris at Knepp Wildland Safaris - Saturday 28th May, Saturday 25th June and Saturday 30th July

Monday 22nd August - Bat Walk at Tilgate Park, Crawley

Thursday 8th September - Bat Walk at Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, Chichester

South East Bat Conference - Saturday 12th November

Bat Walk at Park Woods, Hellingly - 16th August 2021

Searching for Barbastelles Talk by Kieran O'Malley - 13th April 2021

Knepp Wildland and Bats Talk by Penny Green - 23rd March 2021

Bat First Aid and Rescue - Fully Booked

Are you interested in helping rescue and rehabilitate grounded bats in our area? If so then Amanda Millar (Sussex Bat Group) will be running another of her celebrated training courses on bat first aid and rescue in February 2018. The course is aimed at those with a serious interest in getting involved in bat care and places are limited.

For further details and booking form please contact Amanda at chair@sussexbatgroup.org.uk