Best Bat Conservation Trust Podcasts (2024)

1
Talking Bat with Miranda Collett (Collett Trust for Endangered Species) 52:48

4d ago52:48

52:48

Miranda Collett spends her time between Jersey & Argentina. She certainly has an interesting life story, & during this interview we learn all about her professional career, which lead up to the purchase of some land in Corrientes (Argentina) & the creation of a 4,000 acre conservation area dedicated to preserving endangered species & defending the …

1
Talking Creaky Old Bat with Anne Youngman (Ultra-Marathon Runner) 58:20

12d ago58:20

58:20

She's back for a second time on Talking Bat. This time we speak to the award winning Anne Youngman (former BCT Scottish Officer) about her first ultra-marathon experience (before & after), all in support of Bats Without Borders. Did she make? You will have to listen to find out :-). We certainly had lots of fun chatting, & Anne is such an inspirati…

1
Talking Bat with Dr Roger Ransome (Researcher & Retired Consultant) 1:20:15

20d ago1:20:15

1:20:15

Hugely respected & recognised for his contributions to bat conservation, Roger Ransome began studying bats in 1956, completing his PhD in 1979. He is a Linnean Society Award winner for Contributions By An Amateur Towards Scientific Progress, as well as having received the Pete Guest Award (2010) from BCT. Much of what we know about Greater horsesho…

1
Talking Book with Nils Bouillard (Big Bat Year) 1:16:59

26d ago1:16:59

1:16:59

It's great to have Nils Bouillard back for a second interview here on our channel, this time we focus on the background to his recently published book: Big Bat Year - A Conservation Story (published 2023). Follow Nils on Twitter: @NilsBouillardBy NeilMiddleton

1
Talking Club (April 2024) with Aileen Hendry 20:29

29d ago20:29

20:29

Every month Aileen Hendry (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) is joined by Neil Middleton to deliver a 'light-hearted' monthly update for our BatAbility Club members. We are sharing it here for the benefit of anyone who wishes to find out more about what we are up to. If you are not a Club member, but would like to know more about how to join up, please…

1
Talking Bat with Dr Henry Schofield (Vincent Wildlife Trust) 55:04

1M ago55:04

55:04

When we recorded this interview Henry Schofield had recently retired as Head of Conservation at Vincent Wildlife Trust, where he had worked for over 30 years. During his time with the trust he was involved with many bat-related projects (as well as other species groups), including extensively with horseshoe species. Here we explore his life journey…

1
Talking Bat with Katheryn Leggat (Kasanka Trust - Zambia) 1:23:22

1M ago1:23:22

1:23:22

Katheryn Leggat has had an amazing life story to date, which we really enjoyed chatting about during this session. It was also an opportunity for us to find out all about Kasanka National Park in Zambia, home for so much wildlife including the 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats that migrate into the area every year - the largest migration event f…

1
Talking Guano with Neil Middleton (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) 22:21

1M ago22:21

22:21

^o^ Something just for our podcast audience. Sometimes light-hearted, occasionally a little more serious! Here are some random thoughts from your Talking Bat host, Neil Middleton :-) Email address for feedback: neil.middleton@batability.co.ukBy NeilMiddleton

1
Talking Mustelid with Dr Johnny Birks (Author, Researcher, Conservationist & Activist) 1:08:24

1M ago1:08:24

1:08:24

Here we have the huge pleasure of 'Talking...' with Mister Mustelid (aka Dr Johnny Birks) about his lifelong passion & career journey involving many roles within the ecology sector. All of this leading to lots of experiences, achievements & challenges along the way. Learn about Johnny's work on ResearchGate Visit NHBS Ltd to see books by Johnny Bir…

1
Talking Bat with Dr Maggie Andrews (Horseshoe bats) 1:49:16

1M ago1:49:16

1:49:16

During this interview Maggie Andrews shares some of her earlier memories relating to studying bats (in particular horseshoe species), along with a deeper look into some of the research she has been involved with in conjunction with her late husband Peter Andrews & others (e.g. Tom McOwat & Amelia Hodnett). Read about Maggie's work here on ResearchG…

1
Talking Book with Michael Sheldrick (Co-founder of Global Citizen/Author - From Ideas To Impact) 54:52

2M ago54:52

54:52

Michael Sheldrick is the Co-Founder & Chief Policy, Impact, & Government Affairs Officer at Global Citizen. Their initiatives have reached millions of people & secured $billions in support to provide access to essential resources worldwide. During this interview we explore Michael's back story, as well as the work of Global Citizen, leading us on t…

1
How to get a bat licence - with Richard Crompton 42:32

2M ago42:32

42:32

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
Talking Shop with Bernard Mercer (Founder/Chairperson of NHBS Ltd) 1:23:43

2M ago1:23:43

1:23:43

In 1985 Bernard Mercer founded NHBS Ltd, & during this interview we get a fascinating insight into the background of the business, & how it has developed over the years to become one of the largest, if not the largest, organisations of its type on the planet. But there is so much more to the story than may immediately meet the eye, & during this se…

1
Talking Bat with Henry Andrews (Bat Roosts in Trees & Bat Roosts in Rock) 1:14:47

2M ago1:14:47

1:14:47

Here we have the pleasure of interviewing Henry Andrews, the driving force behind the habitat keys & books entitled 'Bat Roosts In Trees' & 'Bat Roosts In Rock'. As well as covering the backdrop to the books in some detail, we also explore Henry's career path within the ecology sector.By NeilMiddleton

1
Talking Club (March 2024) with Aileen Hendry 20:40

2M ago20:40

20:40

Every month Aileen Hendry (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) is joined by Neil Middleton to deliver a 'light-hearted' monthly update for our BatAbility Club members. We are sharing it here for the benefit of anyone who wishes to find out more about what we are up to. If you are not a Club member, but would like to know more about how to join up, please…

1
Talking Bat with Daniel Hargreaves (Vincent Wildlife Trust) 1:20:08

2M ago1:20:08

1:20:08

Daniel Hargreaves is well know & highly respected within the world of bats, & during this session we talk about his exciting life journey from becoming interested in bats as a child through to being involved in projects & adventures around the world. At the time of recording our conversation Daniel had recently taken on the role of Bat Programme Ma…

1
Talking Bat with Laura Torrent (African Bat Taxonomy Ecology & Conservation) 53:41

2M ago53:41

53:41

Laura Torrent is a PhD student studying bat taxonomy, ecology & conservation in Equatorial Guinea (west coast of central Africa), working in collaboration with Natural Science Museum of Granollers; University of Porto; CIBIO-InBIO; Doñana Biological Station & Biodiversity Initiative. This interview explores her bat-related work to date, including d…

1
Talking Bat with John Haddow (Auritus Wildlife Consultancy) 1:31:56

2M ago1:31:56

1:31:56

John Haddow (Auritus Bat Consultancy) is a highly respected bat-worker (& so much more) based in Scotland, & a previous winner of the BCTs Pete Guest Award. His interest in bats started before bats were collectively protected within the UK, & before BCT even existed. During this interview he gives an excellent historical insight into bat conservati…

1
Bats at the National Trust 27:08

2M ago27:08

27:08

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
Talking Bat with Marc Van De Sijpe (Freelance Bat Researcher - Belgium) 1:19:48

2M ago1:19:48

1:19:48

Marc Van De Sijpe is an internationally respected bat researcher based in Belgium, especially known for his work on the European 'trawling' bat species - Daubenton's bat, Pond bat & Long-fingered bat. Here we chat to him about his back-story, early years doing bat work in Belgium, as well as looking in more detail at his research & contributions to…

1
Talking Bat with M. Brock Fenton (Western University, Canada) 59:01

2M ago59:01

59:01

Brock Fenton (Emeritus Professor - University of Western Ontario, Canada) has been studying bats in some shape or form since the early 1960s. He is hugely respected internationally for his academic work, his contributions to bat conservation, as well as which he has authored/co-authored numerous books. During this interview we explore his backgroun…

1
Talking Bat with Dr Mirjam Knornschild (Museum of Natural History Berlin) 1:26:38

3M ago1:26:38

1:26:38

Dr Mirjam Knornschild is the Head of Behavioural Ecology & Bioacoustics Lab for the Museum of Natural History in Berlin. She is internationally recognised & highly respected for, amongst other things, her research into bat acoustics, in particular species occurring in Costa Rica, Panama & southern Africa. During this interview we explore her back-s…

1
Talking Bat with Alexandra Howard (Afromontane Researcher, University of the Free State) 1:16:12

3M ago1:16:12

1:16:12

Alexandra Howard is a PhD candidate carrying out research on bats in southern Africa. Here we explore her life journey so far, as well as her research interests, along with dipping into other aspects of life & the challenges of being a bat researcher in Africa. Follow Alexandra on X (twitter): @blondezoologist…

1
The sonic success of David King; Inventor of BatBox detectors 31:20

3M ago31:20

31:20

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
Talking Club (February 2024) with Aileen Hendry 10:50

3M ago10:50

10:50

Every month Aileen Hendry (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) is joined by Neil Middleton to deliver a 'light-hearted' monthly update for our BatAbility Club members. We are sharing it here for the benefit of anyone who wishes to find out more about what we are up to. If you are not a Club member, but would like to know more about how to join up, please…

1
Talking Bat with Professor Peter J Taylor (University of the Free State) 1:04:56

3M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

Peter Taylor's research focuses on bats & other small mammals in natural & agricultural landscapes in southern Africa. He has contributed significantly to science & conservation, & during this interview we explore his life journey, along with many of his thoughts about the research he has been involved with & the books he has authored/co-authored. …

1
Bat Tracking; the drones changing the way we can undertake research 34:38

3M ago34:38

34:38

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
Talking Bat with Dr Ian Davidson-Watts (Davidson-Watts Ecology Ltd) 1:10:04

3M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Originally from the UK, & now living in New Zealand, Ian Davidson-Watts is highly respected internationally as a bat researcher & consultant. His career to date has had many twists & turns, across a number of roles & countries, as you will hear about during this fascinating insight into his life. Find out more about Davidson-Watts Ecology here Find…

1
Talking Bat with Dr Sandie Sowler (Bat Researcher, Consultant & Trainer) 1:27:21

4M ago1:27:21

1:27:21

Hooked onto natural history from early childhood, Sandie Sowler commenced with her first serious venture into bats in 1969 whilst still at university. Since then she has achieved a huge amount & contributed significantly to the world of bats. Highly respected internationally, during this interview we talk about her early research, her time within t…

1
Bats in the Channel: Jersey Bat Group 35:24

4M ago35:24

35:24

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
Talking Bat with Dr Jon Russ (Consultant, Researcher & Author) 2:13:13

4M ago2:13:13

2:13:13

Jon Russ is hugely respected & well known to us all as the author of books relating to bat acoustics & identification, he also has his own consultancy business, Ridgeway Ecology. During this in depth interview into his back-story & life experiences we explore in some detail his academic research, some projects he has been heavily involved with (e.g…

1
Talking Club (January 2024) with Aileen Hendry 15:32

4M ago15:32

15:32

Every month Aileen Hendry (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) is joined by Neil Middleton to deliver a 'light-hearted' monthly update for our BatAbility Club members. We are sharing it here for the benefit of anyone who wishes to find out more about what we are up to. If you are not a Club member, but would like to know more about how to join up, please…

1
Talking Bat with Dr Volker Runkel (The Handbook of Acoustic Bat Detection) 1:16:35

4M ago1:16:35

1:16:35

We are very pleased to have with us, once again, Volker Runkel. This time we focus on his book, 'The Handbook of Acoustic Bat Detection'. Along with this we explore the development of successful bat acoustic projects, as well as working with automated classifiers. Find 'The Handbook of Acoustic Bat Detection' book here Find 'Handbuch: Praxis der Ak…

1
Boathouse to Bat House 34:24

4M ago34:24

34:24

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
Talking Bat with Dr David Hill (Wildlife Research Centre, Kyoto University, Japan) 1:21:22

4M ago1:21:22

1:21:22

We could have equally called this one Talking Primate (as well as bats of course) due to David Hill's early research studying macaques, latterly in Japan. We were delighted to chat at length about working & living in that part of the world. And then (well it wouldn't be possible not to talk about it!) we get into his work with Bechstein's bat, as w…

1
Walking with bats 34:25

5M ago34:25

34:25

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
Talking Bat with Paul Racey (Emeritus Professor) 2:03:55

5M ago2:03:55

2:03:55

Paul Racey is internationally recognised & one of the most highly respected people in the world of bats, having so many achievements associated with his academic work, as well as his contributions to conservation internationally. During this interview we take a look back at his working life including the following: Gerrit S. Miller Award; Mammal So…

1
Talking Bat with Sherwood Snyder & Paul Howden-Leach (Wildlife Acoustics) 1:20:49

5M ago1:20:49

1:20:49

Sherwood Snyder & Paul Howden-Leach both work for Wildlife Acoustics, & during this interview we have a deep dive into their lives, as well as how product development is undertaken within WAC. Also, a good few doses of 'fun' along the way. Find out more about Wildlife Acoustics hereBy NeilMiddleton

1
Talking Club (December 2023) with Aileen Hendry 11:13

5M ago11:13

11:13

Every month Aileen Hendry (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) is joined by Neil Middleton to deliver a 'light-hearted' monthly update for our BatAbility Club members. We are sharing it here for the benefit of anyone who wishes to find out more about what we are up to. If you are not a Club member, but would like to know more about how to join up, please…

1
The Lifesaving Legacy of Livingstone's Fruit Bats at Jersey Zoo 36:36

5M ago36:36

36:36

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
Talking Bat with Richard Crompton (Ecology On Demand) 1:28:19

5M ago1:28:19

1:28:19

In this episode (recorded in Aug 2021) we chat with Richard Crompton (owner of Ecology On Demand) about his backstory, his time at BCT, career progression, challenges & successes (of which there are many), as well as some of his thoughts about training & guidelines.By NeilMiddleton

1
Gargoyle Guardians: A Bat Count at Lacock Abbey with the Wiltshire Bat Group 25:42

5M ago25:42

25:42

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
Talking Bird with David Darrell-Lambert (Bird Brain UK Ltd) 1:32:18

5M ago1:32:18

1:32:18

David Darrell-Lambert is the owner of Bird Brain UK Ltd & is highly respected & well known within the UK bird community & further afield. During this interview we talk about his early days birding, as well as his business activities, photography, art & sound recording. We also speak about his experience writing the Birdwatching London book, and of …

1
Talking Mammal Sound ID Book with Stuart Newson & Neil Middleton 55:22

6M ago55:22

55:22

In Nov 2023 'The Sound Identification of the Terrestrial Mammals of Britain & Ireland' was published. Here is the interview that our publishers requested to tie in with the book launch. Neil Middleton & Stuart Newson were interviewed by Nigel Massen (Pelagic Publishing). Other resources referred to in the interview are as follows: Is That A Bat? BT…

1
Talking Training with Neil Middleton (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) 1:16:41

6M ago1:16:41

1:16:41

In Nov 2023 Neil was delighted to be invited to do an interview for the Ecology Academy podcast series, where Richard Dodd interviewed him for that series with much of the session being focussed on Neil's career journey & training experiences. It was agreed that the interview could also be uploaded onto our Talking Bat podcast platform. So, here it…

1
Talking Bat with Gareth Jones (Professor of Biological Sciences, Bristol University) 1:18:59

6M ago1:18:59

1:18:59

Gareth Jones is amongst the most highly respected academics in the world of bat research & we were delighted when he agreed to be interviewed by ourselves. During the session we talk about his earlier years, a number of his key academic achievements, as well as hobbies & other interests. Of particular note his recollection of the story behind the d…

1
The Bechstein's of Bracketts 43:33

6M ago43:33

43:33

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
Talking Club (November 2023) with Aileen Hendry 14:54

6M ago14:54

14:54

Every month Aileen Hendry (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) is joined by Neil Middleton to deliver a 'light-hearted' monthly update for our BatAbility Club members. We are sharing it here for the benefit of anyone who wishes to find out more about what we are up to. If you are not a Club member, but would like to know more about how to join up, please…

1
Talking Mammals with Jon Hall (mammalwatching.com) 1:11:26

6M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Jon Hall is a mammal watcher extraordinaire, having travelled the world to see many mammals in their natural environments. During this interview we explore his background, his passion for mammal watching, the launch of the mammal watching website & their own podcast, & also a few tails along the way (nope - that's not a typo!). mammalwatching.com (…

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

6M 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…

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Bat Conservation Trust Podcasts

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