We’ve hit a milestone - and it’s all thanks to you! In this special bonus episode, host Steve Roe takes you behind the scenes of BatChat: from the podcast’s beginnings in 2018 to the present day. Discover how the show came to be created, what goes into producing each episode, and enjoy a previously unreleased gem from one of our most loved guests: Dr Bob Stebbings.

What’s Inside:

• 🦇 The origin story: How a passion for bats (and a well-timed compliment about a “Radio 4 voice”) sparked the idea for BatChat.
• 🔧 What really goes into making each episode—from research and interviews to editing and promotion.
• 😅 Some behind-the-scenes mishaps and moments that didn’t make the cut.
• 📼 From the Vaults: Never-before-heard audio from our 2022 interview with Dr Bob Stebbings.
• 🎉 A huge thank you to our listeners and an update about Series 7.

Links and Mentions:

• 🎧 Listen back to our episode with Dr Bob Stebbings (S4E43)
• 🎨 Logo designed by Rachel Hudson
• 💬 Leave us a review - here's how
• 💝 Want to support the show?

Thanks for being part of the BatChat community.

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E66 In this episode, we're in the charming market town of Frome in Somerset, where the locals take part in a hands-on citizen science event. Armed with bat detectors, participants are sent out around town to record any bats they spot.

What makes this event even more exciting is the use of iNaturalist – a popular platform that collects and shares real-time wildlife data. As participants venture out at dusk, their bat sightings are immediately transmitted to the town hall chambers, where the community can track the results live on a big screen. By the end of the night, everyone reconvenes to see the collective findings and marvel at the variety of bats that call Frome home.

See the results from the evening for yourself

Upcoming big bat counts

Interested in taking part?

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E65 In this noisy episode, we’re taking you to the heart of the Restore Nature Now march in Central London, where 60,000+ passionate individuals gathered on June 22nd 2024, to demand stronger action for nature. The Bat Conservation Trust formed part of the march in the 'air' block which started adjacent to Hyde Park where Biggles the bat flew high above the crowds. Steve speaks to people as the march progresses to Downing Street and onto Parliament Square to find out what caused them to travel to London for the day.

Restore Nature Now website

Biggles the Bat's Instagram Account

BCT's page on the march

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E64 In this episode of BatChat, we’re shining a spotlight on NightWatch, a groundbreaking community science project from the Bat Conservation Trust. Launched in 2021, NightWatch is the only initiative of its kind in the UK, helping people uncover the hidden world of nighttime wildlife while breaking down barriers that prevent communities from connecting with nature.

Join host Steve Roe as he chats with Siobhan Dempsey at the Restore Nature Now march, where they discuss how NightWatch is making bat surveys more accessible—particularly for people from minority ethnic backgrounds, lower-income communities, and those with disabilities. With thousands of bat echolocation calls recorded across 750+ sites, and over 2,000 people engaged so far, this project is transforming urban conservation.

But to keep NightWatch running, we need your help! We must raise £14,000 by June 2025 to ensure more people can discover the wonders of bats in their neighborhoods.

🔗 Find out more about NightWatch and how you can support it here: https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/02/save-nightwatch-urban-bats-communities

🦇 Warwickshire Bat Group Take a look at their website for upcoming events.

🦇 Find your local bat group

🎧 New to BatChat? We release episodes every other Wednesday, so hit subscribe and join us for more fascinating bat stories!

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E63 Climate change is shifting the landscape—literally. But what does that mean for wildlife, especially bats? This episode takes us into the Connecting People and Landscapes in a Changing Climate project, a hands-on effort bringing farmers, landowners, and communities together across the South-West to make the countryside work for both people and nature.

Thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is digging into how nature-friendly farming can help wildlife survive and thrive. We’re talking to the people on the ground—farmers, conservationists, and locals—who are teaming up to survey wildlife, engage communities, and figure out what really works.

🎧 Hit play and join the conversation.

The project website is here

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E62
🌙 The Bat Night Market
Imagine a world without bats. Ever heard of a market that comes alive at night—just like bats? We visit the Bat Night Market, an immersive event blending art, science, and nature. Inspired by bats and nocturnal life, this market offers a unique experience like no other. Find out more about what’s in store!
🔗 More about the Bat Night Market

🦇 Nene Valley Bat Group Update
Juliette Butter joins us to share the latest updates from Nene Valley Bat Group. From survey results to conservation projects, hear what’s happening in this bat-rich landscape and how the group is making a difference.

🚨 Breaking News: A Rare Bat Discovery in the UK!
Hot off the press—conservationists have discovered one of the UK’s rarest bats in an unexpected location! What does this mean for bat conservation in Britain? Hear from one of the team who made this groundbreaking find.
🔗 Read more on the Bat Conservation Trust’s website
🔗 Claire's lucky bat socks are from Bare Kind

🎧 Tune in now to stay up to date with the latest in the world of bats!

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review BatChat to help more people discover the world of bat conservation.

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E61 Recorded in the winter of 2024, in this episode we travel to the Northumberland coastline to a National Trust property called Seaton Delaval Hall. We’re there because this property is home to the UK’s largest-known pipistrelle bat hibernation roost. For many years we haven’t really known where pipistrelle bats go to hibernate. Traditional hibernation surveys in underground structures rarely turn up pipistrelles and when they do they’re in very small numbers. Our guest this week, Tina Wiffen, discovered this roost shortly after the National Trust took over the care of Seaton Delaval in 2009 and since then has been doing some detective work to help us understand where we might need to go looking ourselves.

• Tina's articles in British Island Bats are on pages 20 and 30 of volume four.
• Original news article from the BCT website when a large winter count occured.
• Fancy taking part in a hibernation survey? Find your local bat group here.

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E60. In this episode, we venture into the ancient Pengelli Forest in Pembrokeshire to uncover the story behind one of the region's most remarkable bat discoveries. Back in 2000, Margaret Clarke discovered presence of barbastelle bats, a species known for its elusive nature.

Joined by Margaret Clarke and Den Vaughn, we revisit the discovery that changed our understanding of bats in Pembrokeshire and discuss how barbastelles have fared in the region since then. 

From the fascinating history of Margaret’s discovery to the ongoing efforts to understand these mysterious creatures, this episode reminds us of how far we've come in the last quarter of a century.

• The barbastelle bat PhD that Den mentions is here.
• Find out about Pengelli Forest NNR
• Natur am Byth

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E59 This week, we’re diving into an evening adventure at the stunning Tintinhull Gardens in Somerset, owned by the National Trust. Joining the Somerset Bat Group, we’re on the hunt for one of the UK’s rarest bats – the elusive grey long-eared bat.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
🦇 What makes the grey long-eared bat so rare and fascinating
🦇 The Somerset Bat Group’s efforts to discover more about this species within the County
🦇 A behind-the-scenes look at their bat survey in the beautiful gardens of Tintinhull
🦇 Insights into the habitat and behaviors of this secretive bat

Whether you’re a seasoned bat enthusiast or just curious about the creatures of the night, this episode is packed with discovery, conservation passion, and the magic of Somerset’s wildlife.

Links and Resources:

• Learn more about the Somerset Bat Group here and find the results of the GLE project here
• Find out about Tintinhull Gardens here
• Learn about grey long-eared bats here

Follow us to stay updated on all things bats! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with fellow nature lovers.

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6Ep58 In this episode of BatChat, Steve sits down with Phil Atkin, the creator of a groundbreaking bat detector that’s making waves in the bat conservation community. Using the Raspberry Pi Pico computer, Phil has designed a cost-effective way for people to build their own bat detectors—for just £15!

Join us as we delve into:
🦇 How Phil’s love for bats sparked his innovative journey.
💻 The tech behind the Raspberry Pi Pico bat detector.
💡 Why affordable bat detectors are a game-changer for citizen science.
🌍 How this innovation is advancing the field of bat conservation.

Whether you're a seasoned bat enthusiast or just curious about how technology can support wildlife conservation, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of tech and nature.

🔗 Resources and Links:

• Learn how to build your own Raspberry Pi Pico bat detector.
• Find out more about Phil Atkin’s work and projects.
• Prefer to buy one ready made? Find them here.
• Explore how to get involved in bat conservation.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a true innovator!

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via [email protected]

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!