Bat walks, talks, and roosts - how local communities are coming together for these night-time flyers

We've been supporting local community groups to help spread the word about bats, which rely on woodlands to hunt and roost. Michael Blencowe, Senior Community Development Worker and well-known Sussex naturalist, explains more:

September is a great time to look for bats. Young bats are enjoying their first autumn on the wing and adult bats are getting amorous and chasing each other through the woods. And all of them are busy feeding,  getting ready for their long winter hibernation. And the Lost Woods project team were getting busy too - running and supporting bat events across the project area allowing people to learn, experience and enjoy these amazing animals.

We teamed up with Greener Hassocks and Ditchling to run two fully-booked bat walk events for local people. After an introductory lesson in bat-ology from me, the group walked to the Herring Stream to listen in to the resident bats with special handheld bat detecting equipment.

ReNature Plumpton ran an event with support from the Lost Woods and enjoyed the aerial acrobatics of our largest species the Noctule. Over at the Steyning Downland Scheme Lost Woods volunteer Caitlin Laver led a busy bat walk to the Ash woods of the Rifle Range. Mark and Liz from the Lost Woods team supported a bat event for the Haywards Heath 'Kangaroos' group for young adults with learning disabilities and additional needs, and were wowed as bats whirled and dived overhead.

Bat populations in the UK have declined drastically over the past century and four species of UK bats are at risk of extinction, with many others classed as vulnerable. Protecting woodland habitats for bats is vitally important.

At our Community Get-Together event Plumpton College students worked with Peter Tiplady of Henfield's 'Men in Sheds' to build 16 bat roosting boxes. Following the event, Lost Woods volunteer Chris Drake led a bat walk at Plumpton College where students had some amazing views of Common Pipistrelles. Chris discussed suitable locations around the campus to position the new bat boxes and hopefully further encourage this local bat population.

By the time you read this most of our bats will be heading into a long hibernation - but look out for more Lost Woods bat events in 2026.

If you would like support to organise a woodland wildlife event for your community group, then please get in touch.

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