Workshops

• Noises off - Paola Reason

• Smart Curtailment for Bat Protection - A Deep Dive into Wildlife Acoustics’ SMART System - Fran Tattersall, Wildlife Acoustics

An introduction to Wildlife Acoustics’ new SMART System for windfarms and other remote locations. We will run through the features of the SMART System including remote data access, real time auto ID, live data streaming and connection to turbine control systems.

• Volunteer recruitment, motivation and retention - Parvathy Venugopal, BCT

This workshop provides a platform for attendees to share/discuss the story of their bat group with volunteer recruitment, engagement and retention. To improve the
diversity profile or the sustainable participation of group members, we'll investigate the reasons behind the lack of volunteer motivation and participation. The workshop
will give insight into different BCT projects, looking at how and what they've been doing to improve volunteer recruitment, engagement and retention.

• Intro to radio-tracking part 1 (Theory) - Nick Tomlinson, Dorset Bat Group - fully booked
  

A presentation-based workshop discussing some of the considerations when planning a radio tracking project, the practical methods (and pitfalls thereof) used to find your bat (and what to record) and how you can interpret the data to produce the report afterward.

• Bat Photography - Daniel Hargreaves, VWT

Bats are one of the most difficult animals to photograph due to their size and high-speed nocturnal activity. This workshop will cover the ethics, legislation, techniques and equipment required to take photos of bats. Daniel will demonstrate how photography can be used in conservation and as a monitoring tool and discuss how best to photograph bats whether photos are taken on smartphones or with the latest cameras.

• Introduction to Sound Analysis - Philip Briggs, BCT - fully booked

An opportunity for beginners to learn the basics of analysing bat calls using call analysis software programmes

• Bats and Woodland - Sonia Reveley, BCT - fully booked

This workshop will cover the needs of bat species in a woodland environment and the types of woodland management that can benefit them. We will also signpost you to relevant resources that are currently available. This is a basic awareness workshop. May include an outdoor session to look at trees in the grounds of the venue, time permitting.

• Taking Infrared Video to the Max - Adrian Bicker - fully booked

Look at ways to increase the quality and utility of IR video for bat surveys. It’s all about light: lighting the scene and maximising the light that reaches the sensor. Game changers: the 720nm IR-pass filter; adding a bat detector soundtrack. Strengths and weaknesses: surveyors and cameras complement each other. Which surveys most need IR video? Consider likely species, date and longitude. Demonstration of ultra-wide lenses and lighting technique.

• Equity, diversity and inclusion - how can we do better? - Naomi Webster, BCT
  

A discussion-based workshop exploring how the steps BCT and other organisations are already taking to be more inclusive and what more we can do to make the bat world more accessible and welcoming for everyone

• Intro to radio-tracking part 2 (practical) - Steve Roe - fully booked

An opportunity to develop your radio-tracking skills around the campus - this workshop will take place outside so please come dressed for the weather

• Advanced sound analysis - Philip Briggs - fully booked

This workshop is open to all and will look at the theory of signal processing, tips on
making more precise measurements when analysing bat sounds, and species
identification including some more unusual/challenging calls. Techniques will be
demonstrated in both BatSound and Kaleidoscope. Although some knowledge of
sound analysis is helpful this workshop will also have information included for
beginners.

• Mitigation in churches: case studies in practice - Allyson Walsh & Barry Collins, BCT - fully booked

We will examine bat roost mitigation case studies put into practice in historic churches as part of the Bats in Churches Project (2019-2023). This partnership brings together community, heritage, and nature conservation interests, working with 102 churches to create practical, bespoke solutions which reduce the impact of bats without harming them. Working our way from simple to more complex case studies, we will discuss the implementation and effectiveness of mitigation measures in churches, with a focus on lessons learned and the specialist nature of working with churches

• Updated Bat Ringing Guidelines – a discussion workshop - Lisa Worledge, BCT - fully booked

Updated guidelines for those ringing bats in the UK are being developed by BCT this year, with the support of an expert panel of bat ringers. This workshop is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in the new guidance to contribute to discussions before the final version is published for the end of the year. The last guidance was produced as part of the Bat Workers Manual in 2004.

• So you want a bat licence? - Abby Packham, BCT

An introduction to Natural England licensing for bats, aimed at anyone who is
considering working towards a bat licence (for voluntary or professional work), or
who wants to find out more. This will be a presentation based workshop setting out
the purpose of bat licences, what they cover, and how to work towards a licence.

• Surveying for bats using infra-red - Richard Crompton, Ecology on Demand - fully booked
  

An overview of the advantages (and challenges) of using infra-red to survey for bats and an introduction to best practice principles for those new to the technology

• An introduction to thermal imaging equipment with Thomas Jacks

Thomas Jacks representative will showcase their range of thermal imaging equipment, giving you an opportunity to ask your questions and find out more about what they can do