Bat Night

Hundreds of miles will be covered this month as Lancastrians go in search of bats.


And many will join nature lovers from all over the continent during European Bat Night on Saturday August 28.

It is all part of European Bat Weekend, a celebration of the mammals held by the Bat Conservation Trust every year.

Walks are being held around the county and in Greater Manchester and Merseyside throughout August, but bat groups are flocking for the big night at the end of the month.

Alan Wright, of the Lancashire Environment Record Network, said: “Getting people out recording bats is obviously useful for our records when they are reported back by the various groups.

“Events likes European Bat Night will help to identify where our bats are, making it possible for us to study and protect them.

“It will give people an opportunity to spend an evening in good company, learning more about these fascinating creatures which live all around us.”

LERN is encouraging anyone with an interest in bats to get involved with their local bat group.

Bat walks organised over the next month include:

Thursday, August 19

• Wyre Countryside Officer Charlie Pass at the VisitGarstang Centre, 8pm - 10pm. 01995 602125.

Friday, August 27

• Prospects Bat Walk in Baxenden. 7.30pm. Details at info@prospectsfoundation.org.uk.

Saturday, August 28

• South Lancashire Bat Group walks -

 Yarrow Country Park, Birkacre Road Chorley

 Burrs Country Park, Woodhill Road, Bury

 Rivington, Bolton

 Platt Fields, Didsbury

 Victoria Park, Stretford 

All walks begin at 8pm, details from SLBG at enquiry@slbg.org.uk or 0161 7648850.

• Borsdane Wood Local Nature Reserve, Aspull end of Reserve, Aspull, Wigan. 8pm. 01942 233976

• Seven Acres Local Nature Reserve, Breightmet, Bolton. 8pm. 01204 663754 or Bolton@lancswt.org.uk

Thursday, September 2

• North Lancashire Bat Group Secretary Gail Armstrong at Middleton Woods Nature Reserve 7-9pm. gail@batlady.co.uk

Friday, September 3

• Lancashire Wildlife Truts East Lancashire Reserves Officer Phil Dykes at Brungerley Park Entrance, Clitheroe, 7.30pm. 07841 996722 or pdykes@lancswt.org.uk

Visit the LERN website at www.lanspartners.org/lern for more details of their work and for details of wildlife in your area.