Are you batty about bats? Do you want to learn more about these wonderful and fascinating creatures? If the answer is yes, you’re in for a treat in Stalybridge this Spooky Season…

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Did you know that we have an incredible 18 species of bat in the UK?  The most commonly spotted species is the Common Pipistrelle. Appearing fast and jerky in flight, these teeny tiny nocturnal creatures can eat up to 3,000 insects in one night alone - and they use their incredible echolocation abilities  to hunt for them. Populations of these lovely flying mammals have declined over the last few decades but have shown signs of recovery recently.  

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Other species of bat that can be spotted in north west England are the Brown Long-Eared Bat and the Noctule Bat.

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You can find out more Bat Facts here: https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/fun-facts-about-bats   and here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/05/bats-in-gardens/

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To celebrate spooky season and these wondrous creatures of the night, Stalybridge has two batty events coming up for families…

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Drop-In Workshop

On Wednesday 26th October, you can come and explore the wonderful world of bats and help them return to the town to roost by making your own Bat Roosting Boxes! You can also learn about bat skeletons that are remarkably similar to humans!

Batty about Bats - Free Drop-In Workshop, Stalybridge Civic hall, 12pm - 3pm.

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Be a Bat Detective Family Walk

In the evening, you can try your hand at being a Bat Detective with a special family walk. Join us on a discovery into the noisy nocturnal world of bats and echolocation with the bat detector. Bat enthusiast Russ Hedley will lead the walk and talk, and his love for bats will help you discover more about their habitat, environments and how they connect to the greater web of life.

Meet at the front of the Civic Town Hall, Stalybridge, 5.30pm. Register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/come-and-be-a-bat-detective-tickets-428008905157

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