VWT had a fab weekend at #NatBatConf, sharing knowledge through a presentation on its @Natur Am Byth! Barbastelle Bat Project and two workshops. The horseshoe bat conservation workshops identified habitat challenges and how we use adaptive conservation management to create a more resilient future.

Last weekend, Lucy Morison and Dr Camilla Soravia presented early findings from our research at #NatBatConf 2026! Camilla showed that lesser horseshoe bats' in-roost behaviour changes with noise, while Lucy linked human disturbance to stress hormones, with implications for bat conservation. #bats

One of the dangers of going to @batconservation.bsky.social #NatBatConf …ALL THE GOODIES 🦇😍
@emmaillustrate.bsky.social
@bzillustrations.bsky.social

We try to save costs and time by meeting online, but it’s so easy to overlook the true value of meeting in person. A weekend at The @batconservation.bsky.social #NatBatConf has reminded me just how important (and enjoyable) face-to-face conversations are.

Very happy with my @batconservation.bsky.social #NatBatConf raffle prize - a bundle of goodies from @ccoxonart.bsky.social

The final talk of @batconservation.bsky.social #NatBatConf was on impact of anthropogenic noise on bats by Camilia Soravia. Importantly considering the impact on roosting bats, alongside the combined impacts of artificial light as well. Read the paper at: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Dave Anderson’s talk on bats and underground sites at @batconservation.bsky.social #NatBatConf was excellent! We didn’t get to see all 45 minutes of two Natterer’s bats mating and there was no sound on the film, but Dave assured us the noise is rather impressive! The joy of bat conferences 🦇❤️🦇

Love the wonderful new @batswborders.bsky.social book I bought at #NatBatConf today! Co-created with primary school children in Zambia it’s a wonderful story with an important message to share #LoveBats

There are 000's hectares of uniform #Sitka where this management could be applied successfully for #bats in #Cumbria #Northumberland #TheBorders ... @forestryengland.bsky.social @forestrycommission.bsky.social #NatBatConf

A 10 to 15-fold increase in bat activity from changes in management practices in Sitka plantations, achieved by an E3 Ecology project led by Tony Martin, is a fantastic achievement, alongside the benefits for other species. #NatBatConf

Exciting to hear the potential for open-source end to end bat recording -> processing -> species identification -> output reporting from this year’s The Bat Conservation Trust #VincentWeirAward winner Santiago Martinez Balvanera. So much potential! #NatBatConf

Back for the final session of #NatBatConf with the joint @batconservation.bsky.social #VincentWeirAward winner Santiago Martinez Balvanera on use of AI tools for processing passive acoustic monitoring bat calls.

Climate change has serious consequences for our wildlife. Maggie Andrews work into timing of soprano pipistrelle births (supported by #CitizenScience), shows pups are born earlier in warm weather - but non-biting midges are more abundant even earlier in warmer springs! #NatBatConf

There are a number of #BatResearch priorities for #solar farms #NatBatConf and a need for national guidance.

Great to have Maya Griffin speaking at #NatBatConf this morning on work investigating bats & solar farms in Wales. A project between @batconservation.bsky.social & University of West of England, on behalf of Natural Resources Wales. Read the full report cdn.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/qr3kkbsf/nrw...

Agricultural pests can evolve resistance to pesticides but nature can provide a pest control service & that’s exactly what the 19.4mn wrinkled-lipped free tailed bats can do for the rice farmers of six countries of South East Asia! #NatBatConf 🦇❤️🦇

Some good discussions in the ‘Lets chat bats in sustainable farming’ workshop at #NatBatConf about to seed or not to seed & how much it depends on whats already in the soil seed bank. Would be interesting to see a control version of this study. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Nice shout out from Tina Wiffen #NatBatConf in her #PeteGuestAward acceptance speech for the value of #BatCare & in particular the importance of successful return of pups to their mums!

Wonderful that the @nationaltrust.org.uk at Seaton Delaval Hall celebrate their bats so much through arts & events, as described by Tina Wiffen in her acceptance talk for the #PeteGuestAward at #NatBatConf

So delighted that Tina Wiffen has got this year's @batconservation.bsky.social #PeteGuestAward for an outstanding voluntary contribution to bat conservation #NatBatConf very well deserved 🎉🦇❤️🦇🎉