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Bats can sometimes get a bad rap but in this episode of the In Your Nature podcast, we hope to dispel some myths and shine a light on these truly remarkable creatures. For this conversation, we are joined by Bat Ecologist and Senior Projects Manager with Bat Conservation Ireland, Niamh Roche, who gives us an insight into the lives of Ireland's nine species of bat.

On listening to this episode, you'll quickly that bats are not to be feared, but to be supported and admired. When allowed to thrive, bats provide a number of ecosystem services, including insect control and pollination, which benefit humans and the wider environment.

As is a tradition on the In Your Nature, we asked our guest to choose their Bird of the Week and Niamh didn't need to be asked twice, choosing the master of woodland camouflage - the Treecreeper.

In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.