National Bat Monitoring Programme
Sussex Bat Group - guide to surveying bats
Bats make a substantial contribution to the UK's biodiversity, comprising around one third of all our mammal species (18 species in total, with 17 breeding in the UK). Human activities have increasingly changed the environment we live in resulting in substantial declines in bats over the last century due to loss of habitat, food or roosts, plus pollution, disease, hunting and killing.
We monitor 11 of the UK's 17 breeding bat species and our work has shown that the majority of British bat species are now stable or recovering slowly, but there is too little data on some at-risk bat species. We need more research, strong enforced laws, good land management and education, to ensure bats thrive as a vital part of our natural heritage
We need to understand what is happening to our bat populations so that we can work effectively to conserve them. By monitoring bats, we can discover how they are faring and the factors that are important for their survival.
You can help to monitor bats in Sussex by taking part in surveys and observing these fascinating mammals in your local area. The Bat Conservation Trust and bat groups across the country have been counting the UK’s bats since 1996, with the help of thousands of volunteers. Why not join us!
The easiest way to get involved in surveying is through the National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP). The NBMP is managed by the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT). They have a wealth of information on how to survey, including their own you tube channel which describes all of the surveys in detail National Bat Monitoring Programme - YouTube
The Sussex bat group has a NBMP co-ordinator who can provide support to those wishing to get involved with surveys, please contact them via sussexnbmp@gmail.com
There are many different surveys you can get involved in, suitable for all skill levels:
Sunset survey – suitable for beginners
Taking part in the Sunset Survey couldn't be simpler, you don’t need any equipment or experience and you may not even need to leave your back garden! Simply spend the hour after sunset and/or the hour before sunrise in your garden or watching from your window/balcony and look for any bats or other nocturnal animals you can spot.
Alternatively, do a walk or visit a local open space close to home.
When – April to September
Equipment – NBMP survey form, pen or pencil, watch and a *torch, bat detector (not essential)
How long – 1 hour maximum
Requirements – sign up to the bat count here https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/getting-started/sign-up-for-your-first-bat-count
*torches should not be shone at bats or their roosts when surveying
Next steps -
For surveys forms and more guidance please visit the NBMP website https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/getting-started/sunset-survey
Please go to https://irecord.org.uk/external/bct-sunset-sunrise to send in your results
Sunset survey - Photo Credit BCT
Roost count – suitable for beginners and more experienced surveyors
If you have bats in your property then you can help us by taking part in the Roost Counts. You count the numbers of bats emerging from roosts at sunset on two evenings during the summer survey period. The species we focus on are common and soprano pipistrelle, serotine, Natterer's bat, brown long-eared bat, and lesser and greater horseshoe bat.
If you don’t have bats in your property the bat group can help put you in contact with someone who does, or if you have bats in your property but you would prefer someone else to count them then please get in touch with us at sussexnbmp@gmail.com
When – two nights (15 minutes before sunset) in the summer between May and July, dates will depend on what species you are surveying
Equipment – NBMP survey form, pen or pencil, watch and a torch, bat detector (not essential), thermometer (can use weather app on phone)
How long – up to an hour, count begins when first bat emerges and ends ten minutes after final bat emerges or it becomes too dark to survey
Requirements - To sign up for a roost count you will need to register with the BCT at https://nbmp.bats.org.uk/Membership/CreateAccount.aspx
Next steps -
For more information about this survey please follow this link https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/surveys/roost-count
If interested in this survey, please contact your bat group co-ordinator at sussexnbmp@gmail.com
Waterway survey – suitable for beginners and more experienced surveyors
Daubenton’s bats hunt over water, using their large feet and tail to catch and carry insects and even small fish. The waterway survey is designed to monitor their activity during the summer months and see how the species is faring in Sussex.
The survey method is straightforward and is ideal to try if you are relatively new to bat detecting.
When – two nights between the 1st and 15th and the 16th and 30th August, 40 mins after sunset
Equipment – NBMP survey form, pen or pencil, watch and a torch, bat detector (essential)
How long – up to an hour, counting the number of daubenton’s bat passes for four minutes at ten locations along a waterway
Requirements – For safety you must carry out this survey in pairs due to the danger of being near water at night.
You will need a heterodyne (tuneable) bat detector, please contact us if you would like help finding one
Next steps –
For more information about this survey please follow this link https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/surveys/waterway-survey
If interested in this survey, please contact your bat group co-ordinator at sussexnbmp@gmail.com
Field survey – suitable for more experienced surveyors
The field survey can help us find out how noctule, serotine, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle are faring across Sussex. This survey is appropriate for more experienced surveyors because you will need to use a heterodyne (tuneable) bat detector to identify the target species.
When – two nights between the 1st and 15th and the 16th and 30th July, 20 minutes after sunset
Equipment – NBMP survey form, pen or pencil, watch and a torch, bat detector (essential)
How long – up to one and a half hours, 2 min stops at twelve locations to monitor bats
Requirements – For safety you must carry out this survey in pairs. You must have landowners’ permission.
You will need a heterodyne (tuneable) bat detector, please contact us if you would like help finding one
Next steps –
For more information about this survey please follow this link https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/surveys/field-survey
If interested in this survey, please contact your bat group co-ordinator at sussexnbmp@gmail.com
Hibernation survey – suitable for beginners and more experienced surveyors
All species of bat in the UK hibernate in the winter months. Tunnels, caves, cellars and ice houses across Sussex are used by bats at this time. Surveying hibernation sites helps the BCT to collect and analyse counts on a UK-wide scale in order to produce annual species population trends.
In the Winter of 22/23, the Sussex Bat Group recorded 869 hibernating bats across 25 sites in East and West Sussex, from disused railway tunnels to ice houses and lime kilns nestled in the downs. Of note were thirteen greater horseshoe bats and two mouse eared bats, previously unrecorded in Sussex. Our resident mouse-eared was not seen this winter. To top it all off we found two Barbastelle bats at one our tunnels, which was a species first.
To take part in hibernation surveys you need to hold a bat licence that permits you to carry out hibernation surveys or accompany a licensed surveyor. Every December, January and February the Sussex bat group surveys several sites and counts the bat species and number they find.
Sussex bat group members can accompany us on these surveys, no prior experience is necessary. If you would like to attend a hibernation survey, then please contact us via sussexnbmp@gmail.com with hibernation survey in the email title. First come first served, members have priority and spaces are very limited.
Please note that some of the surveys will be carried out in confined spaces.
Hibernating Natterers - Photo Credit Nick Ellis