A Bat Adventure: From Chester to Brighton for Science, Conservation, and Fun

January 2025 was all about bats! What better way to kick off the year than with an epic journey from Chester to Brighton to delve deep into the fascinating world of bat research and conservation? This two-day adventure took us from an intensive workshop on bat call analysis to the buzzing excitement of the 7th British Bat Research Symposium, and it did not disappoint!

Day 1: Cracking the Code of Bat Calls

On Thursday, January 23rd, we hit the road (and rails!) for the picturesque seaside town of Brighton. Our destination? The University of Sussex, where we attended an exclusive SonoBat workshop led by the brilliant Martyn Cooke, the UK representative for SonoBat Bat Call Analysis Software. Martyn opened our eyes (and ears!) to the hidden language of bats. We learned how this software can help researchers identify bat species with remarkable precision, all while getting hands-on experience with the tools of the trade.

Day 2: A Celebration of All Things Bats

Friday, January 24th, marked the 7th British Bat Research Symposium, an event that brought together bat researchers and conservationists. We had the privilege of hearing from two renowned guest speakers:

• Professor Fiona Mathews, a leading expert in Environmental Biology and Mammalian Biology at the University of Sussex. She gave an inspiring talk on how, as scientists, we can improve the ways we share our bat knowledge with local communities in ways that benefit both bats and people.

• Daniel Hargreaves, the Bat Programme Manager at Vincent Wildlife Trust, whose conservation efforts are making a tangible difference for bat populations across the UK. He shared with us his journey in becoming an enthusiastic expert in bats and showed us spectacular bat photos from all over the world, including videos of a bat fishing!!

  
  

The day’s schedule was packed with presentations from PhD students and researchers representing institutions like Rothamsted Research, the Bat Conservation Trust, the Wildlife and Wetland Trust, and universities spanning from Bath to Lisbon. Topics ranged from cutting-edge technology and bioinformatics, such as tracking and eDNA techniques, to bat physiology and behaviour. It was a deep dive into how bats navigate the challenges of our rapidly changing world and how we, as researchers and conservationists, can support them.

The BATMAN Project Takes the Spotlight

We were especially proud of Lucy Morison, our very PhD student working on the BATMAN project, who delivered a fantastic 10-minute presentation. Lucy provided a behind-the-scenes look at her research, covering everything from fieldwork and sample collection to the rigorous validation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Lucy’s research will allow us to quantify cortisol from bat faeces without the need to catch and disturb the bats! Her hard work and dedication paid off when she won 1st prize for the best oral presentation!

Adding to the excitement, Dr. Camilla Soravia, a postdoctoral researcher on the BATMAN project, presented a detailed scientific poster outlining the key aspects of our research. Camilla expertly fielded questions from curious attendees, further cementing the BATMAN project as a vital contribution to bat science.

Bats, Beers, and Brainteasers

The day ended on a high note with a lively social event at a local Brighton pub. The evening featured a bat-themed quiz that tested everyone’s knowledge of these fascinating creatures, sparking plenty of laughter and friendly competition. It was the perfect opportunity to relax, mingle, and share ideas with fellow bat enthusiasts. And there was even a question about our own research!!

Final Thoughts

From the thrilling SonoBat workshop to the inspiring talks at the symposium, this trip was a true celebration of bat science and conservation. The energy, passion, and innovation we witnessed were contagious, and the connections we made will undoubtedly shape future collaborations. Thank you again to the organising team at the University of Sussex for making this event memorable!

Here’s to Lucy, Camilla, and everyone working tirelessly to understand and protect bats. And here’s to a future filled with even more discoveries, adventures, and bat-tastic events! 🦇✨

Until next time, happy bat-watching!

PS. We did not forget to have some fun after the conference 😉