The warm summer has provided ideal evening conditions for bats to feed on insects, and the good weather has also provided excellent conditions for the mammals to raise their young.
Paul Wilkinson, from Canal & River Trust, explains: “This year has been a great year for bats. Our sightings and checks of bat boxes have shown that there are far more than usual.
“At this time of year, bats are busy feeding up for the winter and mating, with males being particularly noisy as they defend areas and try to attract several females.
“The bat walk along the waterways is open to everyone. People will see the different species of bats to be found along the region's waterways and they will use special bat detectors which allow us to tune in and be able to hear the high pitched sonar that bats use to navigate and find their insect dinner in the evening sky.
“Bats have always been mysterious, becoming active just as evening light disappears. As we are drawing the curtains, they seem to appear from nowhere and then disappear without trace – just like Batman. I'll be telling you load of fascinating bat facts, not least how they seem to have discovered the secret to cheating the aging process!”
The walk are taking place between 7pm – 8:30pm on the following dates:
- 25 September at Gailey reservoir. Meet at Gailey fishery car park, off Gailey Lea Lane, Staffordshire, ST19 5PT.
- 5 October at Fens Pools reservoir. Meet at King William Pub, 16 Pensnett Road, Dudley DY1 2EY
To join the bat walks, email [email protected].
