S2E20 Steve joins Helen Ball and other members of Staffordshire Bat Group as they undertake a winter hibernation survey for the National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP). Recorded in February 2020 in the Staffordshire Peak District, they undertake the latest survey of disused lead mines searching for bats deep in torpor.

Helen reveals what it's like to undertake the survey (it's a VERY steep hillside!) and what sort of things you're likely to find in old mine adits. Apart from the bats - lots of bats - there's other wildlife down there too and the surveys have revealed just how important the site is for the bats of the Peak District.

Find out more about Staffordshire Bat Group:

• https://www.staffsbats.co.uk/
• @staffsbats
• @derbyshirebats

The NBMP hibernation surveys: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme

The Big Bat Skills Event Online is back this February - Book Now!
https://www.bats.org.uk/events/big-bat-skills-event-online

Join the conversation on social media using #BatChat:
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BatConservationTrust/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_BCT_
Instagr

We've been selected by the Big Give for this year's Green Match Fund; every donation we receive up to £10,000 will be doubled. A huge opportunity to raise at least £20,000 for bat conservation. Donations must be received via the Big Give website between 18th - 25th April. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
👕We now have our own Merch!👚 Get your hands on the brand new range of BatChat clothing and tote bags at our tee mill store.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Google have announced they are discontinuing their app so we recommend making the switch to an alternative podcast app.

Thank you to Wildlife Acoustics and Wildcare for sponsoring series 5 of BatChat.
Visit wildlifeacoustics.com to learn more.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

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 [email protected]

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!