Bat monitoring activities are currently restricted in order to comply with government guidance on controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Please ensure you adhere to the latest government instructions at all times. Government instructions vary across the UK so it is important that you refer to the guidance specific to the country you live in.

To take part in the British Bat Survey or Jersey Bat Survey please follow the steps below.

How we use your data



To find out how we protect and use your personal information please read BCT's privacy policy



British Bat Survey: In line with the National Bat Monitoring Programme's data access policy, bat records collected by the British Bat Survey will be made available on the NBN Atlas at 1km resolution.

Step 1. Identify a suitable survey point

When you sign up to the survey you will be provided with an approximate monitoring location. Visit this location during the day to identify a suitable point to deploy your AudioMoth. Your survey point should be:

Safe to access.

Secure enough to leave an AudioMoth overnight.



Not lit be artificial light at night.

At least 1.5m away from: Vegetation or other obstructions that could mask bat calls. Hard surfaces such as tree trunks or walls, which can cause echos that distort recordings. Water - the reflections of sound off the water's surface can distort recordings.



If your survey point is on private or council-owned land please get permission from the landowner to carry out the survey. Click here for tips on getting landowner permission. Bear in mind that you may wish to survey the location on multiple nights.



Step 2. Receive your survey kit



Jersey Bat Survey: We will provide a survey kit containing an AudioMoth, a weatherproof case, memory card(s), batteries and poles.



British Bat Survey: We will provide a survey kit containing an AudioMoth, a weatherproof case and memory card(s). You will need to purchase a two metre pole and three AA batteries. The AudioMoth should be deployed on a pole 2m above the ground. Due to their bulky nature we are unable to supply poles in the post. The following make an ideal pole, secured if necessary with a few guy ropes, and can be purchased for a few pounds online or from many high street shops, DIY stores or garden centres:

Extendable/telescopic laundry/clothes prop (https://images.app.goo.gl/VZWt...) Sturdy bamboo cane (at least 2m high, approximately 5cm in diameter at base and no less than 2cm diameter at height). Steel garden stake or bean pole

Ranging pole/rod (https://images.app.goo.gl/2dkm...)

Due to EU shipping regulations we are unable to send batteries in the post. As a result of the high power demand of ultrasonic recording we recommend Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA. Please do not use rechargeable batteries as they will cause the AudioMoth to fail.



Step 3. Set up your AudioMoth



Your AudioMoth is configured very simply by pressing the 'Play Chime' button on this webpage. This chime tells the AudioMoth when to start recording, when to stop recording and what recording settings to use. Click here to configure your AudioMoth.

Step 4. Carry out a survey

Carry out your survey between 1st and 31st July.



Click here for instructions on carrying out a survey.



Step 5. Send us the details of your survey point



Click here to submit the details of your survey point.

