Here are some of the current projects and surveys which Kent Bat Group are involved with:

Motus Wildlife Tracking System Research

The Kent Bat Group is supporting Jane Harris, a very experienced bat worker, with her research using the Motus Wildlife Tracking System. Various researchers are using automated radio telemetry to simultaneously track hundreds of individuals of numerous species of birds, bats, and insects enabling impactful research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. Jane is using radio tracking devices, supplied by KBG, to tag Nathusius' pipistrelles, a species of bat now known to migrate long distances.
On the evening of 17th May 2024 Jane Harris was joined by KBG volunteers at Dungeness with the aim of trapping and tagging 4 female Nathusius' pipistrelles. Unfortunately, just 3 bats were trapped, two Soprano pipistrelles and one male Nathusius' pipistelle (tagged). Jane believes that the females had already returned.
More information will follow at some time in the future when the data start coming in and are analysed.

KBG Bat Surveys

We undertook a program of Churchyard surveys across Kent in 2024 and 2025. The surveys were developed following the kind donation of three RPA static recording detectors by the Bat Conservation Trust’s Bats In Churches project. These detectors will be used to help identify the presence of any bat roosts inside each of the Church buildings. 

KBG Woodland Bat Box Scheme

In March 2025 six Schwegler 2FN, one 1FS and 9 Kent bat boxes were hung in Great Spelty Wood, part of Woodsell Farm. Woodsell Farm is a 180 acre wilding and regeneration project. Checks later in the year did not find bats in them, but droppings found in one were analysed and found to be those of a Whiskered bat. The hope is now to extend the box scheme to 50 2FN boxes and to monitor the bats long term. 

Bat Conservation Trust Surveys

If you're interested in getting involved with these surveys there are a range of them in their National Bat Monitoring Programme. From sunset and sunrise surveys to roost counts. Getting involved is easy. Check out their website for one suitable for you. https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme