Welcome to the Valleys Bat Group page!

The Valleys Bat Group covers the unitary authority areas of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen and is affiliated to the Bat Conservation Trust, the national body representing Bat Conservation in the UK.

What does the Bat Group do?

Our Aims

• Further the knowledge of bat distribution and activity in the Group's area.
• Promote the conservation of bats and their habitat.
• Provide a forum for discussion on bat conservation issues.
• Improve public perception of bats.

Our Activities

The bat group participates in the following types of activities:

• Surveys and monitoring, including the National Bat Monitoring Programme
• Bat roost visits
• Provision of advice to members of the public
• Improving the knowledge and skills of members
• Training members for bat licences
• Educating the general public, including at walks, talks, events and shows
• Bat care and rehabilitation

N.B. for URGENT ENQUIRIES regarding bat care (including injured bats, bats in houses etc), please call Erica Dixon on 01443 816920 or 07969 626697.

Who is involved?

There is currently a committee of 3 elected officers and 4 non-elected officers. These members have specific roles and oversee the smooth running of the group. The rest of the group is then made up of other members, individuals or groups that are interested in bats and bat conservation. The level of involvement is up to each individual, but ranges from attending group meetings to volunteering for surveys and events.

The Committee

Elected Officers:

Non-Elected Officers:

Join the group!

If you are interested in joining the group, please complete and return the membership form and return to the Membership Secretary (Alison Jones). Membership subscription rates are £5.00 per adult and £2.50 for concessions.

Events and Education

For further details about the following events, or to tell us about an event in your area that the bat group may be able to attend please contact the Public Events Coordinator (Melanie Sutherland).

Public Events

Bat talk at St Peter's Church, Pantside, Newbridge - date to be confirmed.

Previous Events

GoWild! at Bryn Bach Park, Tredegar on Saturday 14th June 2008

Biodiversity Boot Camp at Bargoed Park on Sunday 8th June 2008

Bat Walk at Barry Sidings Country Park led by Richard Dodd on Saturday 7th June 2008 during Wales Biodiversity Week

Bats, Owls, Moths and Stars at Waun Fawr Park, Crosskeys on Sunday 11th May 2008 - bat talk and survey by Erica Dixon and Alison Jones.

Surveys

To take part in surveys organised by the group, you must be a member. For general information about surveys please contact the Survey Coordinator (Richard Dodd).

Training Workshops

Members of the bat group can obtain training and experience with surveys and bat care and rehabilitation. The group usually offers a programme of surveys throughout the season from April to September and a winter programme of workshops and other training events.

Recording Bats

Do you have bats in your home? Do you see bats flying in your area? Yes? Then please let us know by completing the Valleys Bat Group recording form and forwarding it to the Records Coordinator (Pete Wells), who will keep the records up to date and send them to SEWBReC.

We value all bat records, so please tell us about where you've spotted them (even if you're not sure which species they are) so we can learn more about the distribution of bats in the Valleys Bat Group area.

For more information about records please contact the Records Coordinator (Pete Wells).

Contact Us

To contact the Valleys Bat Group, please email the Secretary (Katherine Cooper).

If you have a general enquiry about bats please call the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline on 0845 1300 228.

For URGENT ENQUIRIES regarding bat care (including injured bats, bats flying in houses etc), please call Erica Dixon on 01443 816920 or 07969 626697.