Bat boxes are monitored as often as possible, to check whether they are being used by bats and if so, by which species.

Members undertake surveys on behalf of the Bat Conservation Trust or other organisations, in order to monitor the population status of various species of bats.

If householders have problems with bats, we are able to give advice or practical help such as removing accumulations of bat droppings from a loft if the owner cannot do it .

Where people are unhappy about having a bat roost in their house, we aim to reassure them and promote more understanding and, hopefully, tolerance.

Dumfries and Galloway Bat Group has carried out surveys for a local Housing Association checking properties for the presence of bats when roof repairs were to be carried out, and for the Sulwath Connections Historic Graveyards Project. This involved checking for the presence of bats prior to consolidation work on ruinous churches.

As most work is out in the evening or at dawn, bat workers have to be prepared to be out and about at ‘unsocial’ hour

Events

We attend wildlife events organised by Dumfries and Galloway Council, Forestry Commission and other organisations with  information and photographs about bats, and activities for children.

We are pleased to give illustrated talks to children and to adult groups - schools, scouts and guides, WRI and conservation organisations etc.

And, of course, we organise bat walks, using bat detectors to locate bats, throughout the region during the summer.  These are great fun and, who knows, we may find new roosts or even uncommon species.
To find out about bat talks and walks please contact the Bat Group Secretary.