Organised by the Somerset Environmental Records Centre, the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Somerset Bat Group (SBG), the Blackdowns Hills Big Bat Survey has been held annually for six years and has always attracted over 60 people. The early popularity and success of the project enabled the number of transects to be increased from 12 to 16 routes in 2012 onwards. Much of the purpose of repeating a survey of this kind over a number of years is to try to iron out inconsistencies caused by variable factors such as weather and farming practice.
The Blackdown Hills Big Bat Survey, whilst providing a significant body of robust and meaningful data, also provided an opportunity for a large number of people to experience the pleasure of listening for bats in the company of more experienced bat people. Local naturalists have discovered a whole new world in their own neighbourhood, a world which only comes to life when the sun has gone down. 2016 is the summation of six years survey on the Blackdown Hills, and the information has led to a much more informed picture about bat activity and landscape use in this part of Somerset and Devon.
The reports for each of the surveys can be found below:-
