We’ve hit a milestone - and it’s all thanks to you! In this special bonus episode, host Steve Roe takes you behind the scenes of BatChat: from the podcast’s beginnings in 2018 to the present day. Discover how the show came to be created, what goes into producing each episode, and enjoy a previously unreleased gem from one of our most loved guests: Dr Bob Stebbings.

What’s Inside:

• 🦇 The origin story: How a passion for bats (and a well-timed compliment about a “Radio 4 voice”) sparked the idea for BatChat.
• 🔧 What really goes into making each episode—from research and interviews to editing and promotion.
• 😅 Some behind-the-scenes mishaps and moments that didn’t make the cut.
• 📼 From the Vaults: Never-before-heard audio from our 2022 interview with Dr Bob Stebbings.
• 🎉 A huge thank you to our listeners and an update about Series 7.

Links and Mentions:

• 🎧 Listen back to our episode with Dr Bob Stebbings (S4E43)
• 🎨 Logo designed by Rachel Hudson
• 💬 Leave us a review - here's how
• 💝 Want to support the show?

Thanks for being part of the BatChat community.

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via comms@bats.org.uk

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E66 In this episode, we're in the charming market town of Frome in Somerset, where the locals take part in a hands-on citizen science event. Armed with bat detectors, participants are sent out around town to record any bats they spot.

What makes this event even more exciting is the use of iNaturalist – a popular platform that collects and shares real-time wildlife data. As participants venture out at dusk, their bat sightings are immediately transmitted to the town hall chambers, where the community can track the results live on a big screen. By the end of the night, everyone reconvenes to see the collective findings and marvel at the variety of bats that call Frome home.

See the results from the evening for yourself

Upcoming big bat counts

Interested in taking part?

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Use our interactive map to find the closest recording location to where you are and to see photos and additional material from the recording.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via comms@bats.org.uk

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

S6E65 In this noisy episode, we’re taking you to the heart of the Restore Nature Now march in Central London, where 60,000+ passionate individuals gathered on June 22nd 2024, to demand stronger action for nature. The Bat Conservation Trust formed part of the march in the 'air' block which started adjacent to Hyde Park where Biggles the bat flew high above the crowds. Steve speaks to people as the march progresses to Downing Street and onto Parliament Square to find out what caused them to travel to London for the day.

Restore Nature Now website

Biggles the Bat's Instagram Account

BCT's page on the march

Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

Support the show

Please leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).

Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via comms@bats.org.uk

Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!