Bat walk excitement

Many thanks to Huw Morgan from Sussex Wildlife Trust for coming to Preston Park this week to give us some insight into the world of the Pipistrelle bats that like to hang out around various areas of the park. The weather managed to do the right thing and not rain, and we had some lovely evening light to start us off with.

Huw explained the process of using a bat detector and we were soon able to pick up the amazing ultrasonic vocalisations that the bats were giving out as they picked up on their evening snack of flying insects. Different bat species have a different sound pattern, and bats also make different noises depending on what they are doing ie they make different sounds when hunting as opposed to when they are looking for a mate. It was also fascinating to learn that bats are currently in the mating season, but that the females are able to put off pregnancy until May when there is more food availability.

Even once it got dark, we were able to enjoy the sounds and exciting flight displays as the bats zig-zagged over our heads! An enjoyable evening for all ages! For further information on bats, please go to either the Sussex Wildlife Trust website or the Sussex Bat Group.

Our next walk will be Sue Shepherd’s History of Preston Park Walk on Sunday 17th of November, starting at the Rotunda Café at 14.30. Please sign up via Eventbrite. There will be quite a lot of walking around the park which is fairly flat and wheelchair accessible, but please be aware of tree roots, etc..