NightWatch
As the sun sets over our churchyards and burial grounds, a whole other world comes alive. Using some nifty technology, we can listen in on this hidden world to find out just what kind of wildlife is thriving there.
At Caring for God’s Acre, we’ve recently acquired a fantastic bit of kit called a passive acoustic monitor. These little devices can be set up to record and monitor a whole range of sounds in environments that would otherwise be difficult to survey, helping you discover what species are about. For instance, we’ve been using our acoustic monitor to survey bats in local churchyards.
The devices can be left out for a few hours, days or even weeks. They utilise a small microphone, to detect and convert incoming sound waves into a signal which can be recorded and stored for later analysis. Once back at home, you can then download the data to analyse and see what species you’ve heard. Some models will do this for you, some won’t; it entirely depends on the model.
Bats use echolocation to hunt for insects at high frequences that we humans can’t hear. Individual species emit calls that correspond to their size, flight, behaviour, environment and prey types. Each will produce a distinctive call that can be recognised on the acoustic monitor or during sound analysis.
It can be difficult to navigate these tools for a first timer. Never fear; our friends at Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) have made surveying for bats accessible and easy for everyone.
BCT has been running the National Bat Monitoring Programme since 1996. Through its various mediums, all the recorded data helps inform bat conservation across the UK. One part of the programme is the NightWatch survey. Taking place between July and October, NightWatch is a community science project helping you discover the hidden world of nighttime nature living in your neighbourhood. No experience or previous knowledge is needed to take part, just for you to be over 16 and have a windowsill, garden, churchyard or urban space you have permission to survey. They greatly encourage people in towns and cities to get involved, so we can monitor how bats are faring in urban areas.
The process is simple. Choose a date and book your kit via the survey portal. Next, a free kit arrives in the post including an “AudioMoth”. This is your mini passive acoustic monitoring device! Switch it on, secure in place and you’re ready to go. At the same time, you’ll sit with the detector watching and listening for any night wildlife. Whatever you spot, you make a record of. Once you’re done, post the kit back in the post and wait to hear back from BCT with your personalised report of the bats you discovered during the survey.
More information on how to sign up and book your kit is linked here: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/science-research/passive-acoustic-surveys/nightwatch
Between 60-90% of historic churches now have protected bat roosts, making the surrounding churchyard space even more important for bat conservation. Keeping churchyards chemical free, full of rich and diverse habitats that attract varied food sources, provides critical sanctuary for these nocturnal species. Consider getting involved in your local burial ground for bats and other wildlife in whatever way you can.
Kaitlyn Elverson
Engagement Officer, Nature in Sacred Places Project (NiSP)
www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk - individuals and groups in the diocese receive 20% members discount on all CfGA materials. Use the discount code diomem22