Nacht Bat Care

28/06/2023

As a heads' up, we aren't taking bats on at this point in time. It got too much in terms of negative outcomes and we just don't have the resilience to keep going. Whether we do bat care actively again in the future or not, we don't know.

That said, we are happy to advise people on what to do if they have found a bat and location-depending, we can liaise with other local carers to help relay the bat to someone in the vicinity who can hopefully help.

Remember, if you're in the UK and have found a bat, please call the Bat Helpline. Here is a link to their containment advice and number -- https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat/bats-in-need-of-rescue/assess-the-situation

^ This series of pages will help walk you through how to assess the situation, what the best containment is, then what number to ring.

Durham Bat Group, Cleveland Bat Group, and Northumberland Bat Group are the north-east's regional groups, and each has a public group on Facebook where people can flag needing support as well, although the Helpline should be the first port of call.

Finding a grounded or lost bat is a unique experience. For many people, it will be the first time they come close to one of these fascinating and unappr...

01/05/2023

And it's May!! Bats are fully active and feeding. Females start forming maternity colonies and looking for suitable nursery sites, such as buildings or trees. Males roost on their own or in small groups. Are bats out in full force where you are?

01/03/2023

21/02/2023

Look at this adorable face!

First bat of 2023. Wally the common pip. Good weight at 4.8g so hopefully just a night or two of tlc and release when the weather is fine. Not too keen on mealworm innards at the moment but I'm sure his appetite will emerge soon.

01/02/2023

Bats are still hibernating. They have little fat left to live off of now. They may leave the roost on warmer nights to find food and a drink of water.
If you are in the UK and find a bat on the ground or exposed area during the day do check our advice: https://bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat/bats-in-need-of-rescue/contain-the-bat

05/01/2023

First helpline shift of 2023! 🦇

01/01/2023

Happy New Year! 2023 is here!
Bats are still hibernating, which is a state of inactivity characterised by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. They will slowly start waking up in Spring when temperatures increase and insects are around.

30/12/2022

22/12/2022

Here is hoping that all of our released bats are tucked up, cosy, safe, and hibernating 🦇🤎

02/12/2022

When you've memorized the time in which staff come in to feed, so you crawl down and wait right in front of the enclosure door so you get first dibs on the juiciest mealworms....

01/12/2022

It is December and temperatures are dropping! Bats should be hibernating now. They may roost on their own or in small groups, often in cool, quiet places like disused buildings, old trees or caves, where they hopefully won't be disturbed.

https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-bat

23/11/2022

Got this as thanks for taking part in the Bats In Churches project. Sadly, this year was the last that it was running, but please, keep your eyes peeled for future engagement opportunities!

https://batsinchurches.org.uk/

27/10/2022

19/10/2022

Durham/Durham-adjacent folks!

Did you know that there are bats living in the cloisters? 🦇
Join us this half term to learn more about how we care for the bats and to create your own bat crafts
Plan your visit ➡️ https://bit.ly/3yzjdQe

09/10/2022

05/10/2022

Beatrix didn't make it. Feeling pretty down and thoroughly kicked. We now have no bats in the house. Time to step back, recover, and decide how to move forwards.

05/10/2022

What are your plans for Halloween? Please help us raise awareness of bats and helping to raise much needed funds to help bat conservation. Download our FREE Essential Guide to a Batty Halloween. https://bats.org.uk/support-bats/halloween-for-bats .

01/10/2022

October is here! More mating is taking place, and building up fat reserves is becoming crucial to survive the winter season. Bats are seeking suitable hibernation sites, and beginning periods of torpor: https://buff.ly/31IcKjy

24/09/2022

Rough summer continues. Bat in from the next village over, sadly PTS due to a dislocated elbow ☹️

22/09/2022

4 years ago, got the ball rolling on caring for bats.
How the moments until now have flown by! 🦇

20/09/2022

Did a thing! 🦇🗣 Shout outs obviously to Durham, Cleveland, and Northumberland Bat Groups as my local ones.

What better way to launch a newsletter than to coincide our first article with this week, giving us the perfect opportunity to share some insights into . The rehabilitates around 250 bats every year.

17/09/2022

Bat getting an ultrasound!

15/09/2022

Bats have been part of night skies across the world for a very long time. This fossil of Icaronycteris index is from the early Eocene, approximately 52 million years ago.

13/09/2022

In the northern hemisphere, some bats are building up their reserves to hibernate while others will be getting ready to migrate long distances.

British record for long distance migration https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2021/08/olympian-bat-smashes-british-record-for-long-distance-migration

National Nathusius' Pipistrelle Project https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/surveys/national-nathusius-pipistrelle-survey

10/09/2022

Sadly, Ernie didn't make it.

I am going to be taking a month off of taking in any new bats. Feeling utterly kicked and drained, put mildly.

If you find a bat, please contact the Bat Helpline and follow their assess > containment guidance. If the Helpline isn't available, drop me a message at +44 7554 508569 on Whatsapp and I'll help get you in contact with your nearest available carer.

https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat/bats-in-need-of-rescue/assess-the-situation

Finding a grounded or lost bat is a unique experience. For many people, it will be the first time they come close to one of these fascinating and unappr...

02/09/2022

Bat #4 has come in!

His name is Batfink, and he is a male adult Common pipistrelle. He has a couple of small puncture holes in his wing membrane and a broken second left wing finger, but his injuries are healable. He is f e i s t y.

Finger's crossed for him please.