Bat Walk — October 2026

Bat Walk — October 2026

At the start of October, Ulleskelf Wildlife Group was delighted to welcome University of Leeds ecologist Dr Talya Hackett to the village to lead a bat walk.

The popular event drew a large turnout, who were treated to a short talk and demonstration before being led around the village and surrounding farmland by Talya, supported by her colleague and UWG member Dr Alastair Ward. Licensed bat ecologist and bat carer Kate Wright added her own expertise to the evening, bringing along her education bats for everyone to meet. Between them, the three were kept busy all night — demonstrating bat detectors and fielding a steady stream of questions.

For me, the real highlight was watching the children get stuck in. Every one of them seemed to be a bat expert already, and their knowledge and enthusiasm shone through all evening. The best question of the night went to Talya, sparked by her echolocation demonstration (which saw Alastair go head-to-head against a young audience member, and lose): “If I were a bat and went deaf, what would that mean for me?”

The most predictable question — about vampire bats — came as no surprise, and Alastair made the most of it by routing the walk home via the churchyard. And the most surprising fact of the night came from Kate, who revealed that her pipistrelles weigh about the same as a 20p coin.

Species spotted on the walk were Pipistrelle, Long-Eared and Daubenton’s bats — but, disappointingly for some, no vampires.

Everyone who came along left with a much deeper understanding of bat biology and a real appreciation for the part they play in our local ecosystem.

Huge thanks to Talya for leading the event, to Alastair for organising it, and to Kate — and her bats — for sharing their time and expertise.