Wild Bats of Woodberry - Guided Walk

Woodberry Wetlands is the perfect habitat for bats and you're bound find plentiful numbers these wonderful nocturnal creatures during this behind the scenes experience at the reserve when it is closed to the general public after dark.

Bats have historically been misunderstood as they fly over our gardens and open spaces at dusk. Having been present on the earth for 50 million years the threat of extinction hangs over many bat species as a result of our indifference or ignorance. There are sixteen species of bat in Britain all of which eat only insects and have wing spans from 19 to 35cm and have experienced severe declines in numbers. Many species can be found in all the London boroughs, especially the tiny Pipistrelle which manages to hang on in even the more built up areas of central London.

Although sighted, bats navigate and locate their prey using a sophisticated high frequency system well outside of human aural range known as echolocation. By using an ultrasonic bat detectors which turn these frequencies into sounds we can hear, the presence of bats and type of species can often be revealed when they are difficult to see in the dark.

An expert guide will give you a background tutorial about the local bat population and the species of Britain, teach you what to look out and listen for on the night, how to use the bat detection equipment and how to record any sightings before guiding you on your walk throughout the reserve.