Over 60 people gathered by St Nicholas’ Church at 9pm for a bat walk led by Dr Jon Russ of the Warwickshire Bat Group, supported by FOAF Chair Tricia Scott. The group included a wide cross-section of the local community, from teenagers to octogenarians. After a short health and safety briefing, Jon gave a fascinating introduction to UK bats, highlighting the 18 species found nationally and several recorded in Abbey Fields, including pipistrelles, noctules, brown long-eared, and Daubenton’s bats.
Participants were given bat detectors and shown how to use them to hear bat echolocation. The walk took in the churchyard, oak trees, and the duck feeding area, where a Daubenton’s bat was spotted. Despite the bats’ dislike of bright lights, Jon attempted to give the group a glimpse. The walk wrapped up around 10.30pm, with everyone agreeing it had been a thoroughly enjoyable and educational evening.