Bat Walk: Discovering Nocturnal Nature

Join the West Devon Wildlife Warden Scheme and ParkLife SW on a guided evening stroll, discovering bats and other nocturnal wildlife. NEW DATE: Join the West Devon Wildlife Warden Scheme and Parklife (SW) on a guided evening stroll, discovering bats and other nocturnal wildlife around the Tavistock Viaduct Walk. As dusk settles, the daytime world gives way to a fascinating variety of nocturnal wildlife. Bats, badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, moths and owls are just some of the creatures that become active after dark. This guided walk offers a special chance to learn more about these often-unseen species and, with luck, spot signs of wildlife as it begins to emerge for the night. Several bat species have been recorded around the Viaduct Walk, including Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), Greater noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus) and Greater horseshoe (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). This is a rare opportunity to look out for these remarkable animals and use bat detectors to pick up their distinctive ultrasonic calls, which are normally beyond the range of human hearing. This event will be led by Parklife (SW)’s resident ecologist, James Roberts. Digital, backlit bat detectors will be available for you to use. However, if you’re lucky enough to own a bat detector, please feel free to bring it along. There will be an opportunity to chat about what you’ve seen and heard on the walk afterwards with a hot drink. Don't forget to wear appropriate outdoor clothing suited to the day’s weather, sturdy footwear and to cover your arms and legs if insects tend to find you tasty. Please bear in mind the temperature may drop as the sun sets. Please bring a fully charged hand-held torch or head torch to help you safely navigate the pathway as it gets darker. Please note: this event is weather dependent. We have checked the long-range forecast, but conditions may change. If rain is forecast, bats and other wildlife are likely to take shelter. We will email all registered attendees if the event needs to be cancelled. We will gather at 7.00pm at the Bedford Car Park, Canal Road, Tavistock, PL19 0EA where parking is free from 6pm to 8am, Monday to Saturday. We will then set off on our walk at 7.15pm. You can also find the car park via: What3Words: ///hooks.shunts.bought