Best Bat Conservation Trust Podcasts (2025)

1
Big News – Behind the Mic 19:33

2M ago19:33

19:33

We’ve hit a milestone - and it’s all thanks to you! In this special bonus episode, host Steve Roe takes you behind the scenes of BatChat: from the podcast’s beginnings in 2018 to the present day. Discover how the show came to be created, what goes into producing each episode, and enjoy a previously unreleased gem from one of our most loved guests: …

1
Frome After Dark: A Town on the Hunt for Bats 35:42

3M ago35:42

35:42

S6E66 In this episode, we're in the charming market town of Frome in Somerset, where the locals take part in a hands-on citizen science event. Armed with bat detectors, participants are sent out around town to record any bats they spot. What makes this event even more exciting is the use of iNaturalist – a popular platform that collects and shares …

1
Restore Nature Now 27:29

4M ago27:29

27:29

S6E65 In this noisy episode, we’re taking you to the heart of the Restore Nature Now march in Central London, where 60,000+ passionate individuals gathered on June 22nd 2024, to demand stronger action for nature. The Bat Conservation Trust formed part of the march in the 'air' block which started adjacent to Hyde Park where Biggles the bat flew hig…

1
NightWatch: Breaking Barriers to Bat Conservation 24:00

4M ago24:00

24:00

S6E64 In this episode of BatChat, we’re shining a spotlight on NightWatch, a groundbreaking community science project from the Bat Conservation Trust. Launched in 2021, NightWatch is the only initiative of its kind in the UK, helping people uncover the hidden world of nighttime wildlife while breaking down barriers that prevent communities from con…

1
Farms, Bats & Climate: Connecting Communities 43:22

5M ago43:22

43:22

S6E63 Climate change is shifting the landscape—literally. But what does that mean for wildlife, especially bats? This episode takes us into the Connecting People and Landscapes in a Changing Climate project, a hands-on effort bringing farmers, landowners, and communities together across the South-West to make the countryside work for both people an…

1
The Bat Night Market 40:01

5M ago40:01

40:01

S6E62 🌙 The Bat Night Market Imagine a world without bats. Ever heard of a market that comes alive at night—just like bats? We visit the Bat Night Market, an immersive event blending art, science, and nature. Inspired by bats and nocturnal life, this market offers a unique experience like no other. Find out more about what’s in store! 🔗 More about …

1
Where Do Pipistrelles Go? A Winter Mystery 23:58

5M ago23:58

23:58

S6E61 Recorded in the winter of 2024, in this episode we travel to the Northumberland coastline to a National Trust property called Seaton Delaval Hall. We’re there because this property is home to the UK’s largest-known pipistrelle bat hibernation roost. For many years we haven’t really known where pipistrelle bats go to hibernate. Traditional hib…

1
Into the Forest: Barbastelle Bats of Pembrokeshire 33:48

6M ago33:48

33:48

S6E60. In this episode, we venture into the ancient Pengelli Forest in Pembrokeshire to uncover the story behind one of the region's most remarkable bat discoveries. Back in 2000, Margaret Clarke discovered presence of barbastelle bats, a species known for its elusive nature. Joined by Margaret Clarke and Den Vaughn, we revisit the discovery that c…

1
An Evening with Somerset's Rarest Bat 38:34

7M ago38:34

38:34

S6E59 This week, we’re diving into an evening adventure at the stunning Tintinhull Gardens in Somerset, owned by the National Trust. Joining the Somerset Bat Group, we’re on the hunt for one of the UK’s rarest bats – the elusive grey long-eared bat. In this episode, you’ll hear: 🦇 What makes the grey long-eared bat so rare and fascinating 🦇 The Som…

1
Batting on a Budget: Phil Atkin’s Game-Changing Bat Detector 34:49

7M ago34:49

34:49

S6Ep58 In this episode of BatChat, Steve sits down with Phil Atkin, the creator of a groundbreaking bat detector that’s making waves in the bat conservation community. Using the Raspberry Pi Pico computer, Phil has designed a cost-effective way for people to build their own bat detectors—for just £15! Join us as we delve into: 🦇 How Phil’s love for…

1
Into the Knapp: A Night Walk with Worcestershire Bat Group 28:56

8M ago28:56

28:56

Step into the nocturnal world of the Knapp and Papermill Reserve with the Worcestershire Bat Group! In this immersive field recording, join us for a unique bat walk through the varied habitats of this Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. This episode captures a real-time adventure as we explore the reserve at night, listening in on bat det…

1
Megan McCubbin 43:45

8M ago43:45

43:45

S6E56 We’re back with a brand new series! At the 2024 National Bat Conference at the University of Reading, zoologist and wildlife TV presenter Megan McCubbin joined us to chair a thought-provoking debate on ethical conservation. In between sessions, Megan sat down with Steve to chat about her career, her encounters with bats, and her involvement i…

1
Our 6th Series is just around the corner... 1:41

9M ago1:41

1:41

Get ready for an action-packed Series 6 of BatChat! This season, we're bringing you breaking news from the bat world, and that’s just the beginning. We’ll take you on a twilight bat walk, explore a buzzing night market with a twist and head deep into Somerset’s countryside in search of the elusive grey long-eared bat. Plus, we’ll venture into the h…

1
How to get a bat licence - with Richard Crompton 40:13

1+ y ago40:13

40:13

S5E55 Sat in the entrance to a cave in Wales, hidden amongst temperate rainforest, Richard Crompton gives you his insight into the best way to go about getting your bat licence. Richard has been training ecologists for many years now with around 400 people coming to his courses over the years. In this episode you'll hear about the different bodies …

1
Bats at the National Trust 24:49

1+ y ago24:49

24:49

S5E54 This week Steve sits down with Joanne Hodgkins, nature conservation advisor for the National Trust. Sitting in the hot August sunshine at The Vyne near Basingstoke, Steve finds out how the National Trust cares not just for it's special places, but for it's special wildlife. Jo explains how bats are now a day to day part of her role at the Tru…

1
The sonic success of David King; Inventor of BatBox detectors 29:01

1+ y ago29:01

29:01

S5E53 This week we join David King who created the BatBox III and BatBox Duet detectors amongst several others for four decades. David tells Steve of how it all came about and they delve into the history of bat detecting, how the Bat Detective book and CD was created and we get an insight into his views on the future of technology used by ecologist…

1
Bat Tracking; the drones changing the way we can undertake research 32:19

1+ y ago32:19

32:19

S5E52 Steve calls in to Canberra, Australia to chat with Dr Debbie Saunders. For over 20 years Debbie has worked as an ecologist and studied the movements of small migratory birds. This includes the Swift Parrot, one of Australia’s most endangered birds. Like many small animals, Swift Parrots could only be tracked with tiny, very high frequency (VH…

1
Bats in the Channel: Jersey Bat Group 33:06

1+ y ago33:06

33:06

S5E51 Join Steve in early summer on the Island of Jersey as he sits down with a trio from the bat group. In this interview we hear about the historic work of the group and the sort of survey work being done at the moment on the Island. With 18 bat species recorded on this 46 square miles of land just off the French coast, we hear there's still plen…

1
Boathouse to Bat House 32:05

1+ y ago32:05

32:05

S5E50 On the edge of Kidderminster lies Hurcott Pool and Wood Nature Reserve. An old boathouse on the edge of the pool has been repurposed by Worcestershire Bat Group and a few minutes away lies Lea Castle Village where the street lighting has been designed with bats at the forefront of its design. We join bat group members Cody Levine and Matthew …

1
Walking with bats 32:06

1+ y ago32:06

32:06

S5E49 This week we join BCT member Mark Ferguson who has just released his latest album; Walking With Bats. What does it sound like to go bat detecting? From start to finish, this question has underpinned Walking with Bats. Mark's main goal throughout the album's development has been simple: to transport listeners directly to the field, placing the…

1
The Lifesaving Legacy of Livingstone's Fruit Bats at Jersey Zoo 34:17

1+ y ago34:17

34:17

S5E48 Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands is home to 90% of the world's captive population of Livingstone's fruit bats. With an estimated 1300 in the wild, this captive breeding programme is vital to the survival of the species in a disaster event. We join Dominic Wormell inside the bat enclosure as he explains how they care for the colony and how th…

1
Gargoyle Guardians: A Bat Count at Lacock Abbey with the Wiltshire Bat Group 23:24

1+ y ago23:24

23:24

S5E47 On the edge of the Cotswolds lies Lacock Abbey, home to Professor Quirrel's classroom and the Mirror of Erised. But whilst millions of people will recognise the Cloisters of the Abbey used in the filming of the Harry Potter franchise, a rather special spectacle can be found here once the sun goes down. A soprano pipistrelle bat roost hidden i…

1
The Bechstein's of Bracketts 41:14

1+ y ago41:14

41:14

S5E46 Hidden in west Dorset is a nature reserve which holds a very special secret. A bat box scheme which was installed in the late 1990's is home to one of the most well-studied colonies of Bechstein's bats. Join Steve as he spends the day with the Vincent Wildlife Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust as they undertake one of their monthly inspections …

1
It's time for Series 5! 2:04

1+ y ago2:04

2:04

BatChat Series 5 is set to kick off on Wednesday November 1st, with an exciting lineup of guests and fascinating interviews. Stay tuned for more great content and enriching conversations. Don't forget to check out the accompanying video on YouTube for more batty content. Mark your calendars, set your reminders and get ready for the return of BatCha…

1
A new exhibition of wildlife sound at the British Library 27:56

2y ago27:56

27:56

S4E45 - Bonus! This summer, in a major new exhibition, you can see how documenting the animal world has resulted in some of humankind’s most awe-inspiring art, science and sound recordings: Animals: Art, Science and Sound is now open at the British Library Part of the exhibition is dedicated to darkness and Steve got to have a preview of what's on …

1
Wild Isles 37:34

2y ago37:34

37:34

S4E44 - Bonus! The landmark nature documentary series Wild Isles, presented by Sir David Attenborough is currently transmitting on Sunday's at 7pm on BBC One. The fourth episode "Freshwater" features a fabulous bat sequence, recorded in Yorkshire of the phenomenon of autumn swarming. Back in November as the series had entered picture lock, Steve we…

1
The History of Bat Conservation with Dr Bob Stebbings 45:43

2+ y ago45:43

45:43

S4E43 As series four comes to a close, Steve sits down with a titan of bat conservation. Dr Robert (Bob) Stebbings is one of the original bat workers in the UK and in this episode we hear about some of the major bat conservation work undertaken by Bob over the last half century. Make sure you follow the show so you get notified of our two bonus epi…

1
Winged passions: The bat basement of Cliveden House 21:35

2+ y ago21:35

21:35

S4E42 This week Steve joins Chris Damant in the grounds of Cliveden House on the banks of the River Thames. As fine dining takes place in the hotel above them, Chris and his team have set up traps to catch bats as they arrive to mate in the middle of the night. Underneath the south terrace are a number of rooms which mimic underground structures an…

1
Tony Hutson & the greater mouse-eared bat 36:13

2+ y ago36:13

36:13

S4E41 Tony Hutson has been shouting about bats since the 1960's and has changed the bat conservation landscape in that time. He was a founding member of the bat groups of Britain, the precursor to the Bat Conservation Trust. His survey work on the lonely greater mouse-eared bat inspired a play and he's been on expedition to a remote cave with astro…

1
How the Western Link could affect the Western barbastelle 37:26

2+ y ago37:26

37:26

S4E40 In this interview recorded right at the end of August 2022, Steve is sat in a Norfolk woodland with Dr Charlotte Packman. We learn what potential impacts a new road in the area might have on the local bat populations and as Lotty explains it could have a significant impact on a nationally significant barbastelle bat population. Lotty works fo…

1
The bat man of Mexico 27:06

2+ y ago27:06

27:06

S4E39 Rodrigo Medellín is Mexico's very own 'Bat Man'. Since he first kept vampire bats in his bathroom as a child, Rodrigo has dedicated his life to saving them. On the evening of the 2022 UK National Bat Conference, Steve sits down with Rodrigo and asks him what it felt like to succeed in taking the lesser long nosed bat off the endangered specie…

1
Bat flies with Dr Erica McAlister 34:38

2+ y ago34:38

34:38

S4E38 We return to London's Natural History Museum. This time however, we're in the bowels of the Diptera collection with flygirl herself, Dr Erica McAlister. If you think you recognise that name it's because Erica has graced the airwaves several times before including BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage and The Life Scientific. As you'll hear i…

1
Haddon Hall 23:10

2+ y ago23:10

23:10

S4E37 Haddon Hall, the private residence of Lord and Lady Edward Manners, is set in the Peak District in the valley of the River Wye. With nine hundred years of history, it is one of the oldest houses in the country and moreover one of the only houses in England to have remained in one family’s ownership for its entire existence. In the corner of t…

1
The find of the century 34:07

2+ y ago34:07

34:07

S4E36 You join us in a secret location this week. Back in 2019, Scotty Dodd from the Sussex Bat Group made the most significant discovery in the history of the bat group...the first maternity roost of greater horseshoe bats in Sussex for one hundred years. Truly the find of the century! In a small dry valley surrounded by beech trees, Scotty & Stev…

1
Bat roost visit service 34:50

2+ y ago34:50

34:50

S4E35 We're back with a brand new series! This week Steve joins a volunteer roost visitor, Chris Smith from Staffordshire Bat Group, on a roost visit requested by the Bat Conservation Trust. Chris discusses the value of the free service, how he got into volunteering for the visits and why he thinks it provides such a great positive outcome for bats…

1
Series 4 is nearly here! 3:24

2+ y ago3:24

3:24

BatChat is returning on 9th November 2022 with series 4 and we want to hear from you! Yes that's right; you guys, your voices, on this show. We want you to get in touch with your favourite bat experience. Maybe you discovered bats living in your house, you went on a bat walk for the first time or you saw bats somewhere you weren't expecting. Whethe…

1
The Followers with Shelagh Fogarty from Global / Life's a Beach with Alan Carr 8:48

3y ago8:48

8:48

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: The Followers with Shelagh Fogarty from Global Life's a Beach with Alan Carr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
The Mens' Room from TalkSport / A Gay and A NonGay Podcast 9:11

3y ago9:11

9:11

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: The Mens' Room from TalkSport A Gay and A NonGay Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
The Crop Shop from Times Media / Take A Stool from Aguulp 8:13

3y ago8:13

8:13

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: The Crop Shop from Times Media Take A Stool from Aguulp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Committee Corridor from the House of Commons / Born to Rule from NBC 7:42

3y ago7:42

7:42

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Committee Corridor from the House of Commons Born to Rule from NBC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Batman Unburied from Spotify / Bat Chat from the Bat Conservation Trust 11:37

3y ago11:37

11:37

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Batman Unburied from Spotify Bat Chat from the Bat Conservation Trust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Northern Agenda from Reach / Isle of Mann Newspapers podcast from Tindle 8:05

3y ago8:05

8:05

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Northern Agenda from Reach Isle of Mann Newspapers podcast from Tindle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Floodlight - the Anti Slavery Collective podcast / UKTN The Podcast 9:53

3y ago9:53

9:53

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Floodlight - the Anti Slavery Collective podcast UKTN The Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Interesting Things with JC / Fulmar's Folly 7:31

3y ago7:31

7:31

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: it's all about celebrating podcasts for a celebratory 40th Pod Roast episode! Interesting Things with JC Fulmar's Folly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Climate of Change from Audible / Alternative Sounds of the 90s with Dermot O Leary from BBC Sounds 8:38

3y ago8:38

8:38

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Climate of Change from Audible Alternative Sounds of the 90s with Dermot O Leary from BBC Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Get onto My Cloud: The Tim Rice Podcast / Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware 8:25

3y ago8:25

8:25

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Get onto My Cloud: The Tim Rice Podcast Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Archetypes trailer from Archewell Audio / Tonight with Andrew Marr from LBC 7:56

3+ y ago7:56

7:56

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Archetypes trailer from Archewell Audio Tonight with Andrew Marr from LBC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
Knepp Rewilding Estate 36:59

3+ y ago36:59

36:59

S3E34 Hidden amongst the boughs of an Oak tree, Steve & his guests look down over the Knepp Castle Rewilding Estate; former farmland which has been allowed to return to nature by the owners Isabella Tree & Charlie Burrell. In this episode, as the sun sets the light turns golden. Below us red deer begin to bellow at the start of the rutting season, …

1
Desert Island Discs from BBC Radio 4 for BBC Sounds / Farage from GB News 9:52

3+ y ago9:52

9:52

Each week John Ryan’s Pod Roast reviews popular mainstream podcasts produced by the big production companies. This episode: Desert Island Discs from BBC Radio 4 for BBC Sounds Farage from GB News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Podcast Radio Original (PRO-Show)

1
The National Bat Monitoring Programme 40:52

3+ y ago40:52

40:52

S3E33 Discover the amazing work taking place in the dead of night each year by hoards of volunteers. This episode starts with Steve joining a team of these volunteers who are counting out a brown long-eared bat roost in the Derbyshire Dales at dusk as a nearby rookery gathers. We then sit down in Battersea Park, London with Philip Briggs, monitorin…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Bat Conservation Trust Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide