PEOPLE are being invited to take part in a guided walk around Test Valley's nature reserves for a chance to get up close with one of nature's most fascinating nocturnal mammals.

Join a walk in either Anton Lakes, Rooksbury Mill, Harewood Common or Tadburn Meadows to find out more about bats and get the opportunity to try out a bat detector and listen to their echo location as they forage for food.

Walks are run by Test Valley Borough Council’s countryside officers. Everyone is welcome and the walks are free to attend, but participants will need to pre-register via Eventbrite and children aged under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

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Cllr Terese Swain said: “Our guided bat walks offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature in a way that few experiences can match. These events are not only a chance to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, but also to learn about the vital role they play in maintaining the balance of our local ecosystems.

“I encourage everyone to take part to deepen their appreciation for our local wildlife, and support our ongoing efforts to protect these important species in Test Valley.”

The locations, dates and links to book are:

Tadburn Meadows - Friday, August 30 from 8pm onwards. Book at: bit.ly/batwalktadburn

Harewood Common – Saturday, September 7 from 7.45pm onwards. Book at: bit.ly/batwalkharewood

Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve – Friday, September 20 from 7pm onwards. Book at: bit.ly/batwalkrooksbury

Anton Lakes Local Nature Reserve – Saturday, September 21 from 7pm onwards. Book at: bit.ly/batwalkanton.

Bats play a vital role in our ecosystems, from pollinating flowers to controlling insect populations. 

Typically, bat calls are pitched beyond the range of human hearing, but they can be detected and recorded with a bat detector. Each bat species has unique calls influenced by its size, flight behaviour, environment, and prey. Using bat detectors, participants will learn how we can identify different species by listening to or recording their calls for computer sound analysis.