Tom Marshall
The Devon Bat Survey
After 10 years, the Devon Bat Survey will be taking a break in 2026. This comes after 5 successful years (2016-2020) as part of the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, and 5 more (2021-2025) as part of the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project, which closes at the end of March 2026.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in the Devon Bat Survey. Your contributions added millions of bat records to Devon’s species database, greatly improving our understanding of bat species distribution across the county.
In 2026, we’re making our bat detector equipment available to a small number of organisations in Devon for use in their own citizen science projects. You may also have the chance to take part in some of these during bat survey season (April–May). Find out more:
- North Devon Coast National Landscape: aonb@devon.gov.uk
- Chardstock Eco Group: chardstockecogroup@gmail.com
- Devon Bat Group: info@devonbatgroup.org
Have your own bat detector?
If you’re able to collect acoustic recordings and identify the bat species in your area, please submit your data to the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC). Your records will contribute to the county’s species database and help inform research and conservation work.
Stay up to date
We hope to bring the bat survey back soon as part of a future project. To be the first to hear any news, make sure you’re signed up to our fortnightly newsletter.
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FAQs
What is the data used for?
The main aim of the Devon Bat Survey is to help us understand how bats are faring across Devon and in the Saving Devon's Treescapes project core areas. The confirmed bat species records become part of Devon Biodiversity Records Centre’s (DBRC) species database, which Devon Wildlife Trust, other organisations and the public can consult. The data can then be used to help conservation efforts, scientific research, inform planning proposals and much more. For more information head to Devon Biodiversity Records Centre’s website.
Where can I see the overall results of the Devon Bat Survey?
Devon Biodiversity Records Centre are working on some heat maps to show where surveys have been conducted, and which species were found where, during the time the Devon Bat Survey has been part of Saving Devon’s Treescapes. Once we have all the maps available we will let you know and when you can see them.
I want to help bats in my garden, how can I do this?
There are lots of ways you can help bats in your garden – did you know that some of our rarer bat species are sensitive to light? Turning off (or having motion sensor) outside lights, insect friendly gardening and maybe even making your own bat box can help your local bats. To find out more visit the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project website here and the Bat Conservation Trust's guidance here.
Which bats have been found in Devon?
In 2024 the BTO Acoustic Pipeline identified all 16 bat species known to be resident in Devon.