About the event

Join bat expert Sarah Butcher and Devon Wildlife Trust reserves staff at Bowden Pillars. Last winter, we began our large scale temperate rainforest creation project by planting over 7000 trees, with more to go in the ground this winter. The reserve is already developing as a safe haven for wildlife, with a mosaic of habitats including meadows, scrub, old hedgrows and riparian areas favoured by a number of different bats which we are hoping to encounter during this walk and talk event.

The event will start with an introduction to bats delivered by Sarah, Chair of the Devon Bat Group. Sarah will show us how to use the bat detectors and as dusk approaches we will head off into the reserve to see what bats we can identify via their echolocation calls. Although fast, we are also likely to see them whizzing past.

*Booking is essential - you will be contacted in the event of cancellation if weather conditions are unfavourable for bats*

Meeting point: By the junction of Fishchowters Lane and the bridleway just above Bowden Springs Farm, a staff member will be waiting by the fingerpost/ small waterfall to greet you. Please try to arrive a few minutes before the start time.

what3words: happen.mixes.wriggled

Grid ref: SX 79972 59575

This is an evening event and there will be some slopes and uneven ground to navigate due to the terrain of the site. Please bring a torch or headtorch and wear suitable clothing for the weather. We recommend wellies or walking boots as it may be wet underfoot- we will likely be walking through areas of long grass. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult, but sorry, no dogs allowed (excepting assistance dogs).

Please note that there are no toilets on site. Nearest parking spaces are located in the public car parks near Totnes town centre.

Photo credit: Common pipistrelle (c) Tom Marshall